Quadratic String Method for Locating Instantons in Tunneling Splitting Calculations.

PubMed

Cvitaš, Marko T

2018-03-13

The ring-polymer instanton (RPI) method is an efficient technique for calculating approximate tunneling splittings in high-dimensional molecular systems. In the RPI method, tunneling splitting is evaluated from the properties of the minimum action path (MAP) connecting the symmetric wells, whereby the extensive sampling of the full potential energy surface of the exact quantum-dynamics methods is avoided. Nevertheless, the search for the MAP is usually the most time-consuming step in the standard numerical procedures. Recently, nudged elastic band (NEB) and string methods, originaly developed for locating minimum energy paths (MEPs), were adapted for the purpose of MAP finding with great efficiency gains [ J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2016 , 12 , 787 ]. In this work, we develop a new quadratic string method for locating instantons. The Euclidean action is minimized by propagating the initial guess (a path connecting two wells) over the quadratic potential energy surface approximated by means of updated Hessians. This allows the algorithm to take many minimization steps between the potential/gradient calls with further reductions in the computational effort, exploiting the smoothness of potential energy surface. The approach is general, as it uses Cartesian coordinates, and widely applicable, with computational effort of finding the instanton usually lower than that of determining the MEP. It can be combined with expensive potential energy surfaces or on-the-fly electronic-structure methods to explore a wide variety of molecular systems.

Instanton dominance over $$a_s$$ at low momenta from lattice QCD simulations at $$N_f=0$$, $$N_f=2+1$$ and $$N_f=2+1+1$$

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Athenodorou, Andreas; Boucaud, Philippe; de Soto, Feliciano

We report on an instanton-based analysis of the gluon Green functions in the Landau gauge for low momenta; in particular we use lattice results for αs in the symmetric momentum subtraction scheme (MOM) for large-volume lattice simulations. We have exploited quenched gauge field configurations, Nf = 0, with both Wilson and tree-level Symanzik improved actions, and unquenched ones with Nf = 2 + 1 and Nf = 2 + 1 + 1 dynamical flavors (domain wall and twisted-mass fermions, respectively).We show that the dominance of instanton correlations on the low-momenta gluon Green functions can be applied to the determination ofmore » phenomenological parameters of the instanton liquid and, eventually, to a determination of the lattice spacing.We furthermore apply the Gradient Flow to remove short-distance fluctuations. The Gradient Flow gets rid of the QCD scale, ΛQCD, and reveals that the instanton prediction extents to large momenta. For those gauge field configurations free of quantum fluctuations, the direct study of topological charge density shows the appearance of large-scale lumps that can be identified as instantons, giving access to a direct study of the instanton density and size distribution that is compatible with those extracted from the analysis of the Green functions.« less

Quantum instanton calculation of rate constant for CH4 + OH → CH3 + H2O reaction: Torsional anharmonicity and kinetic isotope effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wenji; Zhao, Yi

2012-12-01

Thermal rate constants for the title reaction are calculated by using the quantum instanton approximation within the full dimensional Cartesian coordinates. The results reveal that the quantum effect is remarkable for the reaction at both low and high temperatures, and the obtained rates are in good agreement with experimental measurements at high temperatures. Compared to the harmonic approximation, the torsional anharmonic effect of the internal rotation has a little influence on the rates at low temperatures, however, it enhances the rate by about 20% at 1000 K. In addition, the free energy barriers for the isotopic reactions and the temperature dependence of kinetic isotope effects are also investigated. Generally speaking, for the title reaction, the replacement of OH with OD will reduce the free energy barrier, while substituting D for H (connected to C) will increase the free energy barrier.

Instantons, quivers and noncommutative Donaldson-Thomas theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cirafici, Michele; Sinkovics, Annamaria; Szabo, Richard J.

2011-12-01

We construct noncommutative Donaldson-Thomas invariants associated with abelian orbifold singularities by analyzing the instanton contributions to a six-dimensional topological gauge theory. The noncommutative deformation of this gauge theory localizes on noncommutative instantons which can be classified in terms of three-dimensional Young diagrams with a colouring of boxes according to the orbifold group. We construct a moduli space for these gauge field configurations which allows us to compute its virtual numbers via the counting of representations of a quiver with relations. The quiver encodes the instanton dynamics of the noncommutative gauge theory, and is associated to the geometry of the singularity via the generalized McKay correspondence. The index of BPS states which compute the noncommutative Donaldson-Thomas invariants is realized via topological quantum mechanics based on the quiver data. We illustrate these constructions with several explicit examples, involving also higher rank Coulomb branch invariants and geometries with compact divisors, and connect our approach with other ones in the literature.

Intersecting surface defects and instanton partition functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Yiwen; Peelaers, Wolfger

2017-07-01

We analyze intersecting surface defects inserted in interacting four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric quantum field theories. We employ the realization of a class of such systems as the infrared fixed points of renormalization group flows from larger theories, triggered by perturbed Seiberg-Witten monopole-like configurations, to compute their partition functions. These results are cast into the form of a partition function of 4d/2d/0d coupled systems. Our computations provide concrete expressions for the instanton partition function in the presence of intersecting defects and we study the corresponding ADHM model.

Intersecting surface defects and instanton partition functions

DOE PAGES

Pan, Yiwen; Peelaers, Wolfger

2017-07-14

We analyze intersecting surface defects inserted in interacting four-dimensional N = 2 supersymmetric quantum field theories. We employ the realization of a class of such systems as the infrared xed points of renormalization group flows from larger theories, triggered by perturbed Seiberg-Witten monopole-like con gurations, to compute their partition functions. These results are cast into the form of a partition function of 4d/2d/0d coupled systems. In conclusion, our computations provide concrete expressions for the instanton partition function in the presence of intersecting defects and we study the corresponding ADHM model.

Intersecting surface defects and instanton partition functions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pan, Yiwen; Peelaers, Wolfger

We analyze intersecting surface defects inserted in interacting four-dimensional N = 2 supersymmetric quantum field theories. We employ the realization of a class of such systems as the infrared xed points of renormalization group flows from larger theories, triggered by perturbed Seiberg-Witten monopole-like con gurations, to compute their partition functions. These results are cast into the form of a partition function of 4d/2d/0d coupled systems. In conclusion, our computations provide concrete expressions for the instanton partition function in the presence of intersecting defects and we study the corresponding ADHM model.

Rigid Calabi-Yau threefolds, Picard Eisenstein series and instantons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bao, L.; Kleinschmidt, A.; Nilsson, B. E. W.; Persson, D.; Pioline, B.

2013-12-01

Type IIA string theory compactified on a rigid Calabi-Yau threefold gives rise to a classical moduli space that carries an isometric action of U(2, 1). Various quantum corrections break this continuous isometry to a discrete subgroup. Focussing on the case where the intermediate Jacobian of the Calabi-Yau admits complex multiplication by the ring of quadratic imaginary integers d, we argue that the remaining quantum duality group is an arithmetic Picard modular group PU(2, 1; d). Based on this proposal we construct an Eisenstein series invariant under this duality group and study its non-Abelian Fourier expansion. This allows the prediction of non-perturbative effects, notably the contribution of D2- and NS5-brane instantons. The present work extends our previous analysis in 0909.4299 which was restricted to the special case of the Gaussian integers 1 = Bbb Z[i].

Bukhvostov-Lipatov model and quantum-classical duality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bazhanov, Vladimir V.; Lukyanov, Sergei L.; Runov, Boris A.

2018-02-01

The Bukhvostov-Lipatov model is an exactly soluble model of two interacting Dirac fermions in 1 + 1 dimensions. The model describes weakly interacting instantons and anti-instantons in the O (3) non-linear sigma model. In our previous work [arxiv:arXiv:1607.04839] we have proposed an exact formula for the vacuum energy of the Bukhvostov-Lipatov model in terms of special solutions of the classical sinh-Gordon equation, which can be viewed as an example of a remarkable duality between integrable quantum field theories and integrable classical field theories in two dimensions. Here we present a complete derivation of this duality based on the classical inverse scattering transform method, traditional Bethe ansatz techniques and analytic theory of ordinary differential equations. In particular, we show that the Bethe ansatz equations defining the vacuum state of the quantum theory also define connection coefficients of an auxiliary linear problem for the classical sinh-Gordon equation. Moreover, we also present details of the derivation of the non-linear integral equations determining the vacuum energy and other spectral characteristics of the model in the case when the vacuum state is filled by 2-string solutions of the Bethe ansatz equations.

Super-light baryo-photons, weak gravity conjecture and exotic instantons in neutron-antineutron transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addazi, Andrea

2018-05-01

In companion papers (A. Addazi, Nuovo Cim. C, 38(1): 21 (2015); A. Addazi, Z. Berezhiani, and Y. Kamyshkov, arXiv:1607.00348), we have discussed current bounds on a new super-light baryo-photon, associated with a U(1) B-L gauge, from current neutron-antineutron data, which are competitive with Eötvös-type experiments. Here, we discuss the implications of possible baryo-photon detection in string theory and quantum gravity. The discovery of a very light gauge boson should imply violation of the weak gravity conjecture, carrying deep consequences for our understanding of holography, quantum gravity and black holes. We also show how the detection of a baryo-photon would exclude the generation of all B–L violating operators from exotic stringy instantons. We will argue against the common statement in the literature that neutron-antineutron data may indirectly test at least the 300–1000 TeV scale. Searches for baryo-photons can provide indirect information on the Planck (or string) scale (quantum black holes, holography and non-perturbative stringy effects). This strongly motivates new neutron-antineutron experiments with adjustable magnetic fields dedicated to the detection of super-light baryo-photons.

Notes on wall crossing and instanton in compactified gauge theory with matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Heng-Yu; Petunin, Kirill

2010-10-01

We study the quantum effects on the Coulomb branch of mathcal{N} = 2 SU(2) super-symmetric Yang-Mills with fundamental matters compactified on {mathbb{R}^3} × {S^1} , and extract the explicit perturbative and leading non-perturbative corrections to the moduli space metric predicted from the recent work of Gaiotto, Moore and Neitzke on wall-crossing [1]. We verify the predicted metric by computing the leading weak coupling instanton contribution to the four fermion correlation using standard field theory techniques, and demonstrate perfect agreement. We also demonstrate how previously known three dimensional quantities can be recovered in appropriate small radius limit, and provide a simple geometric picture from brane construction.

A Symplectic Instanton Homology via Traceless Character Varieties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horton, Henry T.

Since its inception, Floer homology has been an important tool in low-dimensional topology. Floer theoretic invariants of 3-manifolds tend to be either gauge theoretic or symplecto-geometric in nature, and there is a general philosophy that each gauge theoretic Floer homology should have a corresponding symplectic Floer homology and vice-versa. In this thesis, we construct a Lagrangian Floer invariant for any closed, oriented 3-manifold Y (called the symplectic instanton homology of Y and denoted SI(Y)) which is conjecturally equivalent to a Floer homology defined using a certain variant of Yang-Mills gauge theory. The crucial ingredient for defining SI( Y) is the use of traceless character varieties in the symplectic setting, which allow us to avoid the debilitating technical hurdles present when one attempts to define a symplectic version of instanton Floer homologies. Floer theories are also expected to roughly satisfy the axioms of a topological quantum field theory (TQFT), and furthermore Dehn surgeries on knots should induce exact triangles of Floer homologies. Following a strategy used by Ozsvath and Szabo in the context of Heegaard Floer homology, we prove that our theory is functorial with respect to connected 4-dimensional cobordisms, so that cobordisms induce homomorphisms between symplectic instanton homologies. By studying the effect of Dehn surgeries on traceless character varieties, we establish a surgery exact triangle using work of Seidel that relates the geometry of Lefschetz fibrations with exact triangles in Lagrangian Floer theory. We further prove that Dehn surgeries on a link L in a 3-manifold Y induce a spectral sequence of symplectic instanton homologies - the E2-page is isomorphic to a direct sum of symplectic instanton homologies of all possible combinations of 0- and 1-surgeries on the components of L, and the spectral sequence converges to SI(Y). For the branched double cover Sigma(L) of a link L in S3, we show there is a link surgery spectral sequence whose E 2-page is isomorphic to the reduced Khovanov homology of L and which converges to the symplectic instanton homology of Sigma( L).

Methods of Contemporary Gauge Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makeenko, Yuri

2002-08-01

Preface; Part I. Path Integrals: 1. Operator calculus; 2. Second quantization; 3. Quantum anomalies from path integral; 4. Instantons in quantum mechanics; Part II. Lattice Gauge Theories: 5. Observables in gauge theories; 6. Gauge fields on a lattice; 7. Lattice methods; 8. Fermions on a lattice; 9. Finite temperatures; Part III. 1/N Expansion: 10. O(N) vector models; 11. Multicolor QCD; 12. QCD in loop space; 13. Matrix models; Part IV. Reduced Models: 14. Eguchi-Kawai model; 15. Twisted reduced models; 16. Non-commutative gauge theories.

Methods of Contemporary Gauge Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makeenko, Yuri

2005-11-01

Preface; Part I. Path Integrals: 1. Operator calculus; 2. Second quantization; 3. Quantum anomalies from path integral; 4. Instantons in quantum mechanics; Part II. Lattice Gauge Theories: 5. Observables in gauge theories; 6. Gauge fields on a lattice; 7. Lattice methods; 8. Fermions on a lattice; 9. Finite temperatures; Part III. 1/N Expansion: 10. O(N) vector models; 11. Multicolor QCD; 12. QCD in loop space; 13. Matrix models; Part IV. Reduced Models: 14. Eguchi-Kawai model; 15. Twisted reduced models; 16. Non-commutative gauge theories.

The semi-classical expansion and resurgence in gauge theories: new perturbative, instanton, bion, and renormalon effects

DOE PAGES

Argyres, Philip C.; Uensal, Mithat

2012-08-10

We study the dynamics of four dimensional gauge theories with adjoint fermions for all gauge groups, both in perturbation theory and non-perturbatively, by using circle compactification with periodic boundary conditions for the fermions. There are new gauge phenomena. We show that, to all orders in perturbation theory, many gauge groups are Higgsed by the gauge holonomy around the circle to a product of both abelian and nonabelian gauge group factors. Non-perturbatively there are monopole-instantons with fermion zero modes and two types of monopole-anti-monopole molecules, called bions. One type are magnetic bions which carry net magnetic charge and induce a massmore » gap for gauge fluctuations. Another type are neutral bions which are magnetically neutral, and their understanding requires a generalization of multi-instanton techniques in quantum mechanics — which we refer to as the Bogomolny-Zinn-Justin (BZJ) prescription — to compactified field theory. The BZJ prescription applied to bion-anti-bion topological molecules predicts a singularity on the positive real axis of the Borel plane (i.e., a divergence from summing large orders in peturbation theory) which is of order N times closer to the origin than the leading 4-d BPST instanton-anti-instanton singularity, where N is the rank of the gauge group. The position of the bion-anti-bion singularity is thus qualitatively similar to that of the 4-d IR renormalon singularity, and we conjecture that they are continuously related as the compactification radius is changed. By making use of transseries and Écalle’s resurgence theory we argue that a non-perturbative continuum definition of a class of field theories which admit semi-classical expansions may be possible.« less

Seiberg-Witten/Whitham Equations and Instanton Corrections in {\\mathscr{N}}=2 Supersymmetric Yang-Mills Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Jia-Liang; Fan, En-Gui

2018-05-01

We obtain the instanton correction recursion relations for the low energy effective prepotential in pure {\\mathscr{N}}=2 SU(n) supersymmetric Yang-Mills gauge theory from Whitham hierarchy and Seiberg-Witten/Whitham equations. These formulae provide us a powerful tool to calculate arbitrary order instanton corrections coefficients from the perturbative contributions of the effective prepotential in Seiberg-Witten gauge theory. We apply this idea to evaluate one- and twoorder instanton corrections coefficients explicitly in SU(n) case in detail through the dynamical scale parameter expressed in terms of Riemann’s theta-function. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 11271079

Quantum Chromodynamics and Color Confinement (confinement 2000) - Proceedings of the International Symposium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suganuma, H.; Fukushima, M.; Toki, H.

The Table of Contents for the book is as follows: * Preface * Opening Address * Monopole Condensation and Quark Confinement * Dual QCD, Effective String Theory, and Regge Trajectories * Abelian Dominance and Monopole Condensation * Non-Abelian Stokes Theorem and Quark Confinement in QCD * Infrared Region of QCD and Confining Configurations * BRS Quartet Mechanism for Color Confinement * Color Confinement and Quartet Mechanism * Numerical Tests of the Kugo-Ojima Color Confinement Criterion * Monopoles and Confinement in Lattice QCD * SU(2) Lattice Gauge Theory at T > 0 in a Finite Box with Fixed Holonomy * Confining and Dirac Strings in Gluodynamics * Cooling, Monopoles, and Vortices in SU(2) Lattice Gauge Theory * Quark Confinement Physics from Lattice QCD * An (Almost) Perfect Lattice Action for SU(2) and SU(3) Gluodynamics * Vortices and Confinement in Lattice QCD * P-Vortices, Nexuses and Effects of Gribov Copies in the Center Gauges * Laplacian Center Vortices * Center Vortices at Strong Couplings and All Couplings * Simulations in SO(3) × Z(2) Lattice Gauge Theory * Exciting a Vortex - the Cost of Confinement * Instantons in QCD * Deformation of Instanton in External Color Fields * Field Strength Correlators in the Instanton Liquid * Instanton and Meron Physics in Lattice QCD * The Dual Ginzburg-Landau Theory for Confinement and the Role of Instantons * Lattice QCD for Quarks, Gluons and Hadrons * Hadronic Spectral Functions in QCD * Universality and Chaos in Quantum Field Theories * Lattice QCD Study of Three Quark Potential * Probing the QCD Vacuum with Flavour Singlet Objects : η' on the Lattice * Lattice Studies of Quarks and Gluons * Quarks and Hadrons in QCD * Supersymmetric Nonlinear Sigma Models * Chiral Transition and Baryon-number Susceptibility * Light Quark Masses in QCD * Chiral Symmetry of Baryons and Baryon Resonances * Confinement and Bound States in QCD * Parallel Session * Off-diagonal Gluon Mass Generation and Strong Randomness of Off-diagonal Gluon Phase in the Maximally Abelian Gauge * On the Colour Confinement and the Minimal Surface * Glueball Mass and String Tension of SU(2) Gluodynamics from Abelian Monopoles and Strings * Application of the Non-Perturbative Renormalization Group to the Nambu-Jona-Lasinio Model at Finite Temperature and Density * Confining Flux-Tube and Hadrons in QCD * Gauge Symmetry Breakdown due to Dynamical Higgs Scalar * Spatial Structure of Quark Cooper Pairs * New Approach to Axial Coupling Constants in the QCD Sum Rule and Instanton Effects * String Breaking on a Lattice * Bethe-Salpeter Approach for Mesons within the Dual Ginzburg-Landau Theory * Gauge Dependence and Matching Procedure of a Nonrelativistic QCD Boundstate Formalism * A Mathematical Approach to the SU(2)-Quark Confinement * Simulations of Odd Flavors QCD by Hybrid Monte Carlo * Non-Perturbative Renormalization Group Analysis of Dynamical Chiral Symmetry Breaking with Beyond Ladder Contributions * Charmonium Physics in Finite Temperature Lattice QCD * From Meson-Nucleon Scattering to Vector Mesons in Nuclear Matter * Symposium Program * List of Participants

Using a Family of Dividing Surfaces Normal to the Minimum EnergyPath for Quantum Instanton Rate Constants

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Yimin; Miller, Wlliam H.

2006-02-22

One of the outstanding issues in the quantum instanton (QI) theory (or any transition state-type theory) for thermal rate constants of chemical reactions is the choice of an appropriate ''dividing surface'' (DS) that separates reactants and products. (In the general version of the QI theory, there are actually two dividing surfaces involved.) This paper shows one simple and general way for choosing DS's for use in QI Theory, namely using the family of (hyper) planes normal to the minimum energy path (MEP) on the potential energy surface at various distances s along it. Here the reaction coordinate is not onemore » of the dynamical coordinates of the system (which will in general be the Cartesian coordinates of the atoms), but rather simply a parameter which specifies the DS. It is also shown how this idea can be implemented for an N-atom system in 3d space in a way that preserves overall translational and rotational invariance. Numerical application to a simple system (the colliner H + H{sub 2} reaction) is presented to illustrate the procedure.« less

Quantum Monte Carlo tunneling from quantum chemistry to quantum annealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazzola, Guglielmo; Smelyanskiy, Vadim N.; Troyer, Matthias

2017-10-01

Quantum tunneling is ubiquitous across different fields, from quantum chemical reactions and magnetic materials to quantum simulators and quantum computers. While simulating the real-time quantum dynamics of tunneling is infeasible for high-dimensional systems, quantum tunneling also shows up in quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations, which aim to simulate quantum statistics with resources growing only polynomially with the system size. Here we extend the recent results obtained for quantum spin models [Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 180402 (2016), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.117.180402], and we study continuous-variable models for proton transfer reactions. We demonstrate that QMC simulations efficiently recover the scaling of ground-state tunneling rates due to the existence of an instanton path, which always connects the reactant state with the product. We discuss the implications of our results in the context of quantum chemical reactions and quantum annealing, where quantum tunneling is expected to be a valuable resource for solving combinatorial optimization problems.

Special Issue on "Instanton Counting: Moduli Spaces, Representation Theory, and Integrable Systems"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruzzo, Ugo; Sala, Francesco

2016-11-01

This special issue of the Journal of Geometry and Physics collects some papers that were presented during the workshop ;Instanton Counting: Moduli Spaces, Representation Theory, and Integrable Systems; that took place at the Lorentz Center in Leiden, The Netherlands, from 16 to 20 June 2014. The workshop was supported by the Lorentz Center, the ;Geometry and Quantum Theory; Cluster, Centre Européen pour les Mathématiques, la Physique et leurs Interactions (Lille, France), Laboratoire Angevin de Recherche en Mathématiques (Angers, France), SISSA (Trieste, Italy), and Foundation Compositio (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). We deeply thank all these institutions for making the workshop possible. We also thank the other organizers of the workshop, Professors Dimitri Markushevich, Vladimir Rubtsov and Sergey Shadrin, for their efforts and great collaboration.

Quantum Field Theories Coupled to Supergravity: AdS/CFT and Local Couplings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Große, Johannes

2007-11-01

This article is based on my PhD thesis and covers the following topics: Holographic meson spectra in a dilaton flow background, the mixed Coulomb-Higgs branch in terms of instantons on D7 branes, and a dual description of heavy-light mesons. Moreover, in a second part the conformal anomaly of four dimensional supersymmetric quantum field theories coupled to classical N=1 supergravity is explored in a superfield formulation. The complete basis for the anomaly and consistency conditions, which arise from cohomological considerations, are given. Possible implications for an extension of Zamolodchikov's c-theorem to four dimensional supersymmetric quantum field theories are discussed.

Twistor approach to string compactifications: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, Sergei

2013-01-01

We review a progress in obtaining the complete non-perturbative effective action of type II string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau manifold. This problem is equivalent to understanding quantum corrections to the metric on the hypermultiplet moduli space. We show how all these corrections, which include D-brane and NS5-brane instantons, are incorporated in the framework of the twistor approach, which provides a powerful mathematical description of hyperkähler and quaternion-Kähler manifolds. We also present new insights on S-duality, quantum mirror symmetry, connections to integrable models and topological strings.

Mayer-cluster expansion of instanton partition functions and thermodynamic bethe ansatz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meneghelli, Carlo; Yang, Gang

2014-05-01

In [19] Nekrasov and Shatashvili pointed out that the = 2 instanton partition function in a special limit of the Ω-deformation parameters is characterized by certain thermodynamic Bethe ansatz (TBA) like equations. In this work we present an explicit derivation of this fact as well as generalizations to quiver gauge theories. To do so we combine various techniques like the iterated Mayer expansion, the method of expansion by regions, and the path integral tricks for non-perturbative summation. The TBA equations derived entirely within gauge theory have been proposed to encode the spectrum of a large class of quantum integrable systems. We hope that the derivation presented in this paper elucidates further this completely new point of view on the origin, as well as on the structure, of TBA equations in integrable models.

Euclidean mirrors: enhanced vacuum decay from reflected instantons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akal, Ibrahim; Moortgat-Pick, Gudrid

2018-05-01

We study the tunnelling of virtual matter–antimatter pairs from the quantum vacuum in the presence of a spatially uniform, time-dependent electric background composed of a strong, slow field superimposed with a weak, rapid field. After analytic continuation to Euclidean spacetime, we obtain from the instanton equations two critical points. While one of them is the closing point of the instanton path, the other serves as an Euclidean mirror which reflects and squeezes the instanton. It is this reflection and shrinking which is responsible for an enormous enhancement of the vacuum pair production rate. We discuss how important features of two different mechanisms can be analysed and understood via such a rotation in the complex plane. (a) Consistent with previous studies, we first discuss the standard assisted mechanism with a static strong field and certain weak fields with a distinct pole structure in order to show that the reflection takes place exactly at the poles. We also discuss the effect of possible sub-cycle structures. We extend this reflection picture then to weak fields which have no poles present and illustrate the effective reflections with explicit examples. An additional field strength dependence for the rate occurs in such cases. We analytically compute the characteristic threshold for the assisted mechanism given by the critical combined Keldysh parameter. We discuss significant differences between these two types of fields. For various backgrounds, we present the contributing instantons and perform analytical computations for the corresponding rates treating both fields nonperturbatively. (b) In addition, we also study the case with a nonstatic strong field which gives rise to the assisted dynamical mechanism. For different strong field profiles we investigate the impact on the critical combined Keldysh parameter. As an explicit example, we analytically compute the rate by employing the exact reflection points. The validity of the predictions for both mechanisms is confirmed by numerical computations.

Worldsheet instantons and the amplitude for string pair production in an external field as a WKB exact functional integral

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordon, James; Semenoff, Gordon W.

2018-05-01

We revisit the problem of charged string pair creation in a constant external electric field. The string states are massive and creation of pairs from the vacuum is a tunnelling process, analogous to the Schwinger process where charged particle-anti-particle pairs are created by an electric field. We find the instantons in the worldsheet sigma model which are responsible for the tunnelling events. We evaluate the sigma model partition function in the multi-instanton sector in the WKB approximation which keeps the classical action and integrates the quadratic fluctuations about the solution. We find that the summation of the result over all multi-instanton sectors reproduces the known amplitude. This suggests that corrections to the WKB limit must cancel. To show that they indeed cancel, we identify a fermionic symmetry of the sigma model which occurs in the instanton sectors and which is associated with collective coordinates. We demonstrate that the action is symmetric and that the interaction action is an exact form. These conditions are sufficient for localization of the worldsheet functional integral onto its WKB limit.

Why there is something rather than nothing: cosmological constant from summing over everything in lorentzian quantum gravity.

PubMed

Barvinsky, A O

2007-08-17

The density matrix of the Universe for the microcanonical ensemble in quantum cosmology describes an equipartition in the physical phase space of the theory (sum over everything), but in terms of the observable spacetime geometry this ensemble is peaked about the set of recently obtained cosmological instantons limited to a bounded range of the cosmological constant. This suggests the mechanism of constraining the landscape of string vacua and a possible solution to the dark energy problem in the form of the quasiequilibrium decay of the microcanonical state of the Universe.

QCD topological susceptibility from the nonlocal chiral quark model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nam, Seung-Il; Kao, Chung-Wen

2017-06-01

We investigate the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) topological susceptibility χ by using the semi-bosonized nonlocal chiral-quark model (SB-NLχQM) for the leading large- N c contributions. This model is based on the liquid-instanton QCD-vacuum configuration, in which SU(3) flavor symmetry is explicitly broken by the finite current-quark mass ( m u,d, m s) ≈ (5, 135) MeV. To compute χ, we derive the local topological charge-density operator Q t( x) from the effective action of SB-NLχQM. We verify that the derived expression for χ in our model satisfies the Witten- Veneziano (WV) and the Leutwyler-Smilga (LS) formulae, and the Crewther theorem in the chiral limit by construction. Once the average instanton size and the inter-instanton distance are fixed with ρ¯ = 1/3 fm and R¯ = 1 fm, respectively, all the other parameters are determined self-consistently within the model. We obtain χ = (167.67MeV)4, which is comparable with the empirical value χ = (175±5MeV)4 whereas it turns out that χ QL = (194.30MeV)4 in the quenched limit. Thus, we conclude that the value of χ will be reduced around 10 20% by the dynamical-quark contribution.

Fuzzy Euclidean wormholes in de Sitter space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Pisin; Hu, Yao-Chieh; Yeom, Dong-han

2017-07-01

We investigate Euclidean wormholes in Einstein gravity with a massless scalar field in de Sitter space. Euclidean wormholes are possible due to the analytic continuation of the time as well as complexification of fields, where we need to impose the classicality after the Wick-rotation to the Lorentzian signatures. For some parameters, wormholes are preferred than Hawking-Moss instantons, and hence wormholes can be more fundamental than Hawking-Moss type instantons. Euclidean wormholes can be interpreted in three ways: (1) classical big bounce, (2) either tunneling from a small to a large universe or a creation of a collapsing and an expanding universe from nothing, and (3) either a transition from a contracting to a bouncing phase or a creation of two expanding universes from nothing. These various interpretations shed some light on challenges of singularities. In addition, these will help to understand tensions between various kinds of quantum gravity theories.

Fuzzy Euclidean wormholes in de Sitter space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Pisin; Hu, Yao-Chieh; Yeom, Dong-han, E-mail: pisinchen@phys.ntu.edu.tw, E-mail: r04244003@ntu.edu.tw, E-mail: innocent.yeom@gmail.com

We investigate Euclidean wormholes in Einstein gravity with a massless scalar field in de Sitter space. Euclidean wormholes are possible due to the analytic continuation of the time as well as complexification of fields, where we need to impose the classicality after the Wick-rotation to the Lorentzian signatures. For some parameters, wormholes are preferred than Hawking-Moss instantons, and hence wormholes can be more fundamental than Hawking-Moss type instantons. Euclidean wormholes can be interpreted in three ways: (1) classical big bounce, (2) either tunneling from a small to a large universe or a creation of a collapsing and an expanding universemore » from nothing, and (3) either a transition from a contracting to a bouncing phase or a creation of two expanding universes from nothing. These various interpretations shed some light on challenges of singularities. In addition, these will help to understand tensions between various kinds of quantum gravity theories.« less

Fuzzy Euclidean wormholes in de Sitter space

DOE PAGES

Chen, Pisin; Hu, Yao-Chieh; Yeom, Dong-han

2017-07-03

Here, we investigate Euclidean wormholes in Einstein gravity with a massless scalar field in de Sitter space. Euclidean wormholes are possible due to the analytic continuation of the time as well as complexification of fields, where we need to impose the classicality after the Wick-rotation to the Lorentzian signatures. Furthermore, we prefer wormholes for some parameters, rather than Hawking-Moss instantons, and hence wormholes can be more fundamental than Hawking-Moss type instantons. Euclidean wormholes can be interpreted in three ways: (1) classical big bounce, (2) either tunneling from a small to a large universe or a creation of a collapsing andmore » an expanding universe from nothing, and (3) either a transition from a contracting to a bouncing phase or a creation of two expanding universes from nothing. These various interpretations shed some light on challenges of singularities. In addition, these will help to understand tensions between various kinds of quantum gravity theories.« less

Fuzzy Euclidean wormholes in de Sitter space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Pisin; Hu, Yao-Chieh; Yeom, Dong-han

Here, we investigate Euclidean wormholes in Einstein gravity with a massless scalar field in de Sitter space. Euclidean wormholes are possible due to the analytic continuation of the time as well as complexification of fields, where we need to impose the classicality after the Wick-rotation to the Lorentzian signatures. Furthermore, we prefer wormholes for some parameters, rather than Hawking-Moss instantons, and hence wormholes can be more fundamental than Hawking-Moss type instantons. Euclidean wormholes can be interpreted in three ways: (1) classical big bounce, (2) either tunneling from a small to a large universe or a creation of a collapsing andmore » an expanding universe from nothing, and (3) either a transition from a contracting to a bouncing phase or a creation of two expanding universes from nothing. These various interpretations shed some light on challenges of singularities. In addition, these will help to understand tensions between various kinds of quantum gravity theories.« less

Understanding Quantum Tunneling through Quantum Monte Carlo Simulations.

PubMed

Isakov, Sergei V; Mazzola, Guglielmo; Smelyanskiy, Vadim N; Jiang, Zhang; Boixo, Sergio; Neven, Hartmut; Troyer, Matthias

2016-10-28

The tunneling between the two ground states of an Ising ferromagnet is a typical example of many-body tunneling processes between two local minima, as they occur during quantum annealing. Performing quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations we find that the QMC tunneling rate displays the same scaling with system size, as the rate of incoherent tunneling. The scaling in both cases is O(Δ^{2}), where Δ is the tunneling splitting (or equivalently the minimum spectral gap). An important consequence is that QMC simulations can be used to predict the performance of a quantum annealer for tunneling through a barrier. Furthermore, by using open instead of periodic boundary conditions in imaginary time, equivalent to a projector QMC algorithm, we obtain a quadratic speedup for QMC simulations, and achieve linear scaling in Δ. We provide a physical understanding of these results and their range of applicability based on an instanton picture.

Quasimodular instanton partition function and the elliptic solution of Korteweg-de Vries equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Wei

2015-02-01

The Gauge/Bethe correspondence relates Omega-deformed N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories to some quantum integrable models, in simple cases the integrable models can be treated as solvable quantum mechanics models. For SU(2) gauge theory with an adjoint matter, or with 4 fundamental matters, the potential of corresponding quantum model is the elliptic function. If the mass of matter takes special value then the potential is an elliptic solution of KdV hierarchy. We show that the deformed prepotential of gauge theory can be obtained from the average densities of conserved charges of the classical KdV solution, the UV gauge coupling dependence is assembled into the Eisenstein series. The gauge theory with adjoint mass is taken as the example.

Spin coherent-state path integrals and the instanton calculus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garg, Anupam; Kochetov, Evgueny; Park, Kee-Su; Stone, Michael

2003-01-01

We use an instanton approximation to the continuous-time spin coherent-state path integral to obtain the tunnel splitting of classically degenerate ground states. We show that provided the fluctuation determinant is carefully evaluated, the path integral expression is accurate to order O(1/j). We apply the method to the LMG model and to the molecular magnet Fe8 in a transverse field.

New excitations in the Thirring model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cortés, J. L.; Gamboa, J.; Schmidt, I.; Zanelli, J.

1998-12-01

The quantization of the massless Thirring model in the light-cone using functional methods is considered. The need to compactify the coordinate x- in the light-cone spacetime implies that the quantum effective action for left-handed fermions contains excitations similar to abelian instantons produced by composite of left-handed fermions. Right-handed fermions don't have a similar effective action. Thus, quantum mechanically, chiral symmetry must be broken as a result of the topological excitations. The conserved charge associated to the topological states is quantized. Different cases with only fermionic excitations or bosonic excitations or both can occur depending on the boundary conditions and the value of the coupling.

Twisted sigma-model solitons on the quantum projective line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landi, Giovanni

2018-04-01

On the configuration space of projections in a noncommutative algebra, and for an automorphism of the algebra, we use a twisted Hochschild cocycle for an action functional and a twisted cyclic cocycle for a topological term. The latter is Hochschild-cohomologous to the former and positivity in twisted Hochschild cohomology results into a lower bound for the action functional. While the equations for the critical points are rather involved, the use of the positivity and the bound by the topological term lead to self-duality equations (thus yielding twisted noncommutative sigma-model solitons, or instantons). We present explicit nontrivial solutions on the quantum projective line.

Non-Abelian Berry phase, instantons, and N=(0,4) supersymmetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Laia, Joao N.

2010-12-15

In supersymmetric quantum mechanics, the non-Abelian Berry phase is known to obey certain differential equations. Here we study N=(0,4) systems and show that the non-Abelian Berry connection over R{sup 4n} satisfies a generalization of the self-dual Yang-Mills equations. Upon dimensional reduction, these become the tt* equations. We further study the Berry connection in N=(4,4) theories and show that the curvature is covariantly constant.

Instanton effects on CP-violating gluonic correlators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mori, Shingo; Frison, Julien; Kitano, Ryuichiro; Matsufuru, Hideo; Yamada, Norikazu

2018-03-01

In order to better understand the role played by instantons behind nonperturbative dynamics, we investigate the instanton contributions to the gluonic two point correlation functions in the SU(2) YM theory. Pseudoscalar-scalar gluonic correlation functions are calculated on the lattice at various temperatures and compared with the instanton calculus. We discuss how the instanton effects emerge or disappear with temperature and try to provide the interpretation behind it.

Nonadiabatic Molecular Dynamics and Orthogonality Constrained Density Functional Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shushkov, Philip Georgiev

The exact quantum dynamics of realistic, multidimensional systems remains a formidable computational challenge. In many chemical processes, however, quantum effects such as tunneling, zero-point energy quantization, and nonadiabatic transitions play an important role. Therefore, approximate approaches that improve on the classical mechanical framework are of special practical interest. We propose a novel ring polymer surface hopping method for the calculation of chemical rate constants. The method blends two approaches, namely ring polymer molecular dynamics that accounts for tunneling and zero-point energy quantization, and surface hopping that incorporates nonadiabatic transitions. We test the method against exact quantum mechanical calculations for a one-dimensional, two-state model system. The method reproduces quite accurately the tunneling contribution to the rate and the distribution of reactants between the electronic states for this model system. Semiclassical instanton theory, an approach related to ring polymer molecular dynamics, accounts for tunneling by the use of periodic classical trajectories on the inverted potential energy surface. We study a model of electron transfer in solution, a chemical process where nonadiabatic events are prominent. By representing the tunneling electron with a ring polymer, we derive Marcus theory of electron transfer from semiclassical instanton theory after a careful analysis of the tunneling mode. We demonstrate that semiclassical instanton theory can recover the limit of Fermi's Golden Rule rate in a low-temperature, deep-tunneling regime. Mixed quantum-classical dynamics treats a few important degrees of freedom quantum mechanically, while classical mechanics describes affordably the rest of the system. But the interface of quantum and classical description is a challenging theoretical problem, especially for low-energy chemical processes. We therefore focus on the semiclassical limit of the coupled nuclear-electronic dynamics. We show that the time-dependent Schrodinger equation for the electrons employed in the widely used fewest switches surface hopping method is applicable only in the limit of nearly identical classical trajectories on the different potential energy surfaces. We propose a short-time decoupling algorithm that restricts the use of the Schrodinger equation only to the interaction regions. We test the short-time approximation on three model systems against exact quantum-mechanical calculations. The approximation improves the performance of the surface hopping approach. Nonadiabatic molecular dynamics simulations require the efficient and accurate computation of ground and excited state potential energy surfaces. Unlike the ground state calculations where standard methods exist, the computation of excited state properties is a challenging task. We employ time-independent density functional theory, in which the excited state energy is represented as a functional of the total density. We suggest an adiabatic-like approximation that simplifies the excited state exchange-correlation functional. We also derive a set of minimal conditions to impose exactly the orthogonality of the excited state Kohn-Sham determinant to the ground state determinant. This leads to an efficient, variational algorithm for the self-consistent optimization of the excited state energy. Finally, we assess the quality of the excitation energies obtained by the new method on a set of 28 organic molecules. The new approach provides results of similar accuracy to time-dependent density functional theory.

Chaotic and regular instantons in helical shell models of turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Pietro, Massimo; Mailybaev, Alexei A.; Biferale, Luca

2017-03-01

Shell models of turbulence have a finite-time blowup in the inviscid limit, i.e., the enstrophy diverges while the single-shell velocities stay finite. The signature of this blowup is represented by self-similar instantonic structures traveling coherently through the inertial range. These solutions might influence the energy transfer and the anomalous scaling properties empirically observed for the forced and viscous models. In this paper we present a study of the instantonic solutions for a set of four shell models of turbulence based on the exact decomposition of the Navier-Stokes equations in helical eigenstates. We find that depending on the helical structure of each model, instantons are chaotic or regular. Some instantonic solutions tend to recover mirror symmetry for scales small enough. Models that have anomalous scaling develop regular nonchaotic instantons. Conversely, models that have nonanomalous scaling in the stationary regime are those that have chaotic instantons. The direction of the energy carried by each single instanton tends to coincide with the direction of the energy cascade in the stationary regime. Finally, we find that whenever the small-scale stationary statistics is intermittent, the instanton is less steep than the dimensional Kolmogorov scaling, independently of whether or not it is chaotic. Our findings further support the idea that instantons might be crucial to describe some aspects of the multiscale anomalous statistics of shell models.

Multiple Instantons Representing Higher-Order Chern-Pontryagin Classes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spruck, Joel; Tchrakian, D. H.; Yang, Yisong

It has been shown in the work of Chakrabarti, Sherry and Tchrakian that the chiral SO+/-(4 p) Yang-Mills theory in the Euclidean 4 p (p>= 2) dimensions allows an axially symmetric self-dual system of equations similar to Witten's instanton equations in the classical 4-dimensional SU(2) SO+/-(4) theory and the solutions represent a new class of instantons. However the rigorous existence of these higher-dimensional instanton solutions has remained open except for the solution of unit charge representing a single instanton. In this paper we establish an existence and uniqueness theorem for multi-instantons of arbitrary charges in the case p>= 2. These solutions are the first known instantons, with the Chern-Pontryagin index greater than one, of the Yang-Mills model in higher dimensions. Our approach is a study of a nonlinear variational equation defined on the Poincaré half plane.

Kinetic isotope effect in malonaldehyde determined from path integral Monte Carlo simulations.

PubMed

Huang, Jing; Buchowiecki, Marcin; Nagy, Tibor; Vaníček, Jiří; Meuwly, Markus

2014-01-07

The primary H/D kinetic isotope effect on the intramolecular proton transfer in malonaldehyde is determined from quantum instanton path integral Monte Carlo simulations on a fully dimensional and validated potential energy surface for temperatures between 250 and 1500 K. Our calculations, based on thermodynamic integration with respect to the mass of the transferring particle, are significantly accelerated by the direct evaluation of the kinetic isotope effect instead of computing it as a ratio of two rate constants. At room temperature, the KIE from the present simulations is 5.2 ± 0.4. The KIE is found to vary considerably as a function of temperature and the low-T behaviour is dominated by the fact that the free energy derivative in the reactant state increases more rapidly than in the transition state. Detailed analysis of the various contributions to the quantum rate constant together with estimates for rates from conventional transition state theory and from periodic orbit theory suggest that the KIE in malonaldehyde is dominated by zero point energy effects and that tunneling plays a minor role at room temperature.

Discrete Torsion, (Anti) de Sitter D4-Brane and Tunneling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Abhishek K.; Pandey, P. K.; Singh, Sunita; Kar, Supriya

2014-06-01

We obtain quantum geometries on a vacuum created pair of a (DDbar)3-brane, at a Big Bang singularity, by a local two form on a D4-brane. In fact our analysis is provoked by an established phenomenon leading to a pair creation by a gauge field at a black hole horizon by Stephen Hawking in 1975. Importantly, the five dimensional microscopic black holes are described by an effective non-perturbative curvature underlying a discrete torsion in a second order formalism. In the case for a non-propagating torsion, the effective curvature reduces to Riemannian, which in a low energy limit may describe Einstein vacuum in the formalism. In particular, our analysis suggests that a non-trivial space begin with a hot de Sitter brane-Universe underlying a nucleation of a vacuum pair of (DDbar)-instanton at a Big Bang. A pair of instanton nucleats a D-particle which in turn combines with an anti D-particle to describe a D-string and so on. The nucleation of a pair of higher dimensional pair of brane/anti-brane from a lower dimensional pair may be viewed via an expansion of the brane-Universe upon time. It is in conformity with the conjecture of a branes within a brane presumably in presence of the non-zero modes of two form. Interestingly, we perform a thermal analysis underlying various emergent quantum de Sitter vacua on a D4-brane and argue for the plausible tunneling geometries underlying a thermal equilibrium. It is argued that a de Sitter Schwarzschild undergoes quantum tunneling to an AdS-brane Schwarzschild via Nariai and de Sitter topological black hole.

Origin of the U(1) field mass in superconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koizumi, Hiroyasu

2017-05-01

Recently, a new theory for superconductivity has been put forward, in which the persistent current generation is attributed to the emergent singularities of the electronic wave function that are created by the spin-twisting itinerant circular motion of electrons. The persistent current generated by this mechanism behaves in every respect like supercurrent in superconductors, yielding the flux quantum h/2e and the Josephson frequency 2eV/h, where h is Planck’s constant, -e is the electron charge, and V is the voltage across the Josephson junction. The mass generation of the U(1) gauge field (or the Meissner effect) in the new theory is due to the emergence of topological objects, ‘instantons’ generated by the single-valued requirement of the wave function in the presence of the emergent singularities. The current standard theory of superconductivity is based on the BCS theory, and explains the emergence of superconductivity as due to the global U(1) gauge symmetry breaking realized by the Cooper pair formation. The U(1) field mass generation is believed to be due to this global U(1) gauge symmetry breaking. However, the feasibility of this mechanism has been questioned since no known interaction can prepare the global U(1) symmetry broken state from the normal state. We argue here that the U(1) mass generation in the BCS superconductor can be attributed to the one by the instanton mentioned above if the Rashba spin-orbit interaction is added. Then, the occurrence of persistent current generation becomes due to the instanton formation, and the role of the Cooper pair formation is to stabilize the instanton by providing an energy gap for perturbative excitations. Upon forming the Cooper pair, the instanton is stabilized and persistent current generation becomes possible. Thus, the superconducting transition temperature coincides with the Cooper pair formation temperature.

COLOR SUPERCONDUCTIVITY, INSTANTONS AND PARITY (NON?)-CONSERVATION AT HIGH BARYON DENSITY-VOLUME 5.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

GYULASSY,M.

1997-11-11

This one day Riken BNL Research Center workshop was organized to follow-up on the rapidly developing theoretical work on color super-conductivity, instanton dynamics, and possible signatures of parity violation in strong interactions that was stimulated by the talk of Frank Wilczek during the Riken BNL September Symposium. The workshop was held on November 11, 1997 at the center with over 30 participants. The program consisted of four talks on theory in the morning followed by two talks in the afternoon by experimentalists and open discussion. Krishna Rajagopal (MIT) first reviewed the status of the chiral condensate calculations at high baryonmore » density within the instanton model and the percolation transition at moderate densities restoring chiral symmetry. Mark Alford (Princeton) then discussed the nature of the novel color super-conducting diquark condensates. The main result was that the largest gap on the order of 100 MeV was found for the 0{sup +} condensate, with only a tiny gap << MeV for the other possible 1{sup +}. Thomas Schaefer (INT) gave a complete overview of the instanton effects on correlators and showed independent calculations in collaboration with Shuryak (SUNY) and Velkovsky (BNL) confirming the updated results of the Wilczek group (Princeton, MIT). Yang Pang (Columbia) addressed the general question of how breaking of discrete symmetries by any condensate with suitable quantum numbers could be searched for experimentally especially at the AGS through longitudinal A polarization measurements. Nicholas Samios (BNL) reviewed the history of measurements on {Lambda} polarization and suggested specific kinematical variables for such analysis. Brian Cole (Columbia) showed recent E910 measurements of {Lambda} production at the AGS in nuclear collisions and focused on the systematic biases that must be considered when looking for small symmetry breaking effects. Lively discussions led by Robert Jaffe (MIT) focused especially on speculations on the still unknown signatures of 0{sup +} color super-conductivity which of course would not be observable via discrete symmetry breaking.« less

d-Brane Instantons in Type II Orientifolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blumenhagen, Ralph; Cvetič, Mirjam; Kachru, Shamit; Weigand, Timo

2009-11-01

We review recent progress in determining the effects of d-brane instantons in [Formula: see text] supersymmetric compactifications of Type II string theory to four dimensions. We describe the abstract d-brane instanton calculus for holomorphic couplings such as the superpotential, the gauge kinetic function, and higher fermionic F-terms, and we briefly discuss the implications of background fluxes for the instanton sector. We then summarize the concrete consequences of stringy d-brane instantons for the construction of semirealistic models of particle physics or supersymmetry breaking in compact and noncompact geometries.

General minimal surface solution for gravitational instantons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aliev, A. N.; Kalaycı, J.; Nutku, Y.

1997-07-01

We construct the general instanton metric obtained from Weierstrass' general local solution for minimal surfaces using the correspondence between minimal surfaces in three-dimensional Euclidean space and gravitational instantons admitting two Killing vectors. The resulting metric contains one arbitrary analytic function and we show that it can be transformed to the Gibbons-Hawking form of an instanton metric that was reported earlier.

Reflection states in Ding-Iohara-Miki algebra and brane-web for D-type quiver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourgine, J.-E.; Fukuda, M.; Matsuo, Y.; Zhu, R.-D.

2017-12-01

Reflection states are introduced in the vertical and horizontal modules of the Ding-Iohara-Miki (DIM) algebra (quantum toroidal gl_1 ). Webs of DIM representations are in correspondence with ( p, q)-web diagrams of type IIB string theory, under the identification of the algebraic intertwiner of Awata, Feigin and Shiraishi with the refined topological vertex. Extending the correspondence to the vertical reflection states, it is possible to engineer the N=1 quiver gauge theory of D-type (with unitary gauge groups). In this way, the Nekrasov instanton partition function is reproduced from the evaluation of expectation values of intertwiners. This computation leads to the identification of the vertical reflection state with the orientifold plane of string theory. We also provide a translation of this construction in the Iqbal-Kozcaz-Vafa refined topological vertex formalism.

Dynamical gluon mass in the instanton vacuum model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Musakhanov, M.; Egamberdiev, O.

2018-04-01

We consider the modifications of gluon properties in the instanton liquid model (ILM) for the QCD vacuum. Rescattering of gluons on instantons generates the dynamical momentum-dependent gluon mass Mg (q). First, we consider the case of a scalar gluon, no zero-mode problem occurs and its dynamical mass Ms (q) can be found. Using the typical phenomenological values of the average instanton size ρ = 1 / 3 fm and average inter-instanton distance R = 1 fm we get Ms (0) = 256 MeV. We then extend this approach to the real vector gluon with zero-modes carefully considered. We obtain the following expression Mg2 (q) = 2 Ms2 (q). This modification of the gluon in the instanton media will shed light on nonperturbative aspect on heavy quarkonium physics.

Quantum geometry of resurgent perturbative/nonperturbative relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basar, Gökçe; Dunne, Gerald V.; Ünsal, Mithat

2017-05-01

For a wide variety of quantum potentials, including the textbook `instanton' examples of the periodic cosine and symmetric double-well potentials, the perturbative data coming from fluctuations about the vacuum saddle encodes all non-perturbative data in all higher non-perturbative sectors. Here we unify these examples in geometric terms, arguing that the all-orders quantum action determines the all-orders quantum dual action for quantum spectral problems associated with a classical genus one elliptic curve. Furthermore, for a special class of genus one potentials this relation is particularly simple: this class includes the cubic oscillator, symmetric double-well, symmetric degenerate triple-well, and periodic cosine potential. These are related to the Chebyshev potentials, which are in turn related to certain \\mathcal{N} = 2 supersymmetric quantum field theories, to mirror maps for hypersurfaces in projective spaces, and also to topological c = 3 Landau-Ginzburg models and `special geometry'. These systems inherit a natural modular structure corresponding to Ramanujan's theory of elliptic functions in alternative bases, which is especially important for the quantization. Insights from supersymmetric quantum field theory suggest similar structures for more complicated potentials, corresponding to higher genus. Our approach is very elementary, using basic classical geometry combined with all-orders WKB.

Instantons in Lifshitz field theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujimori, Toshiaki; Nitta, Muneto

2015-10-01

BPS instantons are discussed in Lifshitz-type anisotropic field theories. We consider generalizations of the sigma model/Yang-Mills instantons in renormalizable higher dimensional models with the classical Lifshitz scaling invariance. In each model, BPS instanton equation takes the form of the gradient flow equations for "the superpotential" defining "the detailed balance condition". The anisotropic Weyl rescaling and the coset space dimensional reduction are used to map rotationally symmetric instantons to vortices in two-dimensional anisotropic systems on the hyperbolic plane. As examples, we study anisotropic BPS baby Skyrmion 1+1 dimensions and BPS Skyrmion in 2+1 dimensions, for which we take Kähler 1-form and the Wess-Zumiono-Witten term as the superpotentials, respectively, and an anisotropic generalized Yang-Mills instanton in 4 + 1 dimensions, for which we take the Chern-Simons term as the superpotential.

Scale-invariant instantons and the complete lifetime of the standard model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreassen, Anders; Frost, William; Schwartz, Matthew D.

2018-03-01

In a classically scale-invariant quantum field theory, tunneling rates are infrared divergent due to the existence of instantons of any size. While one expects such divergences to be resolved by quantum effects, it has been unclear how higher-loop corrections can resolve a problem appearing already at one loop. With a careful power counting, we uncover a series of loop contributions that dominate over the one-loop result and sum all the necessary terms. We also clarify previously incomplete treatments of related issues pertaining to global symmetries, gauge fixing, and finite mass effects. In addition, we produce exact closed-form solutions for the functional determinants over scalars, fermions, and vector bosons around the scale-invariant bounce, demonstrating manifest gauge invariance in the vector case. With these problems solved, we produce the first complete calculation of the lifetime of our Universe: 1 0139 years . With 95% confidence, we expect our Universe to last more than 1 058 years . The uncertainty is part experimental uncertainty on the top quark mass and on αs and part theory uncertainty from electroweak threshold corrections. Using our complete result, we provide phase diagrams in the mt/mh and the mt/αs planes, with uncertainty bands. To rule out absolute stability to 3 σ confidence, the uncertainty on the top quark pole mass would have to be pushed below 250 MeV or the uncertainty on αs(mZ) pushed below 0.00025.

Instanton liquid properties from lattice QCD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Athenodorou, A.; Boucaud, Philippe; De Soto, F.

Here, we examined the instanton contribution to the QCD configurations generated from lattice QCD for N F = 0, N F = 2 + 1 and N F = 2 + 1 + 1 dynamical quark flavors from two different and complementary approaches. First via the use of Gradient flow, we computed instanton liquid properties using an algorithm to localize instantons in the gauge field configurations and studied their evolution with flow time. Then, the analysis of the running at low momenta of gluon Green's functions serves as an independent confirmation of the instanton density which can also be derivedmore » without the use of the Gradient flow.« less

Instanton liquid properties from lattice QCD

DOE PAGES

Athenodorou, A.; Boucaud, Philippe; De Soto, F.; ...

2018-02-22

Here, we examined the instanton contribution to the QCD configurations generated from lattice QCD for N F = 0, N F = 2 + 1 and N F = 2 + 1 + 1 dynamical quark flavors from two different and complementary approaches. First via the use of Gradient flow, we computed instanton liquid properties using an algorithm to localize instantons in the gauge field configurations and studied their evolution with flow time. Then, the analysis of the running at low momenta of gluon Green's functions serves as an independent confirmation of the instanton density which can also be derivedmore » without the use of the Gradient flow.« less

Singular Instantons and Painlevé VI

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñiz Manasliski, Richard

2016-06-01

We consider a two parameter family of instantons, which is studied in [Sadun L., Comm. Math. Phys. 163 (1994), 257-291], invariant under the irreducible action of SU_2 on S^4, but which are not globally defined. We will see that these instantons produce solutions to a one parameter family of Painlevé VI equations (P_VI}) and we will give an explicit expression of the map between instantons and solutions to P_{VI}. The solutions are algebraic only for that values of the parameters which correspond to the instantons that can be extended to all of S^4. This work is a generalization of [Muñiz Manasliski R., Contemp. Math., Vol. 434, Amer. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 2007, 215-222] and [Muñiz Manasliski R., J. Geom. Phys. 59 (2009), 1036-1047, arXiv:1602.07221], where instantons without singularities are studied.

Drag force in a D-instanton background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zi-qiang; Luo, Zhong-jie; Hou, De-fu

2018-06-01

We study the drag force and diffusion coefficient with respect to a moving heavy quark in a D-instanton background, which corresponds to the Yang-Mills theory in the deconfining, high-temperature phase. It is shown that the presence of the D-instanton density tends to increase the drag force and decrease the diffusion coefficient, reverse to the effects of the velocity and the temperature. Moreover, the inclusion of the D-instanton density makes the medium less viscous.

Instantons in Script N = 2 magnetized D-brane worlds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Billò, Marco; Frau, Marialuisa; Pesando, Igor; Di Vecchia, Paolo; Lerda, Alberto; Marotta, Raffaele

2007-10-01

In a toroidal orbifold of type IIB string theory we study instanton effects in Script N = 2 super Yang-Mills theories engineered with systems of wrapped magnetized D9 branes and Euclidean D5 branes. We analyze the various open string sectors in this brane system and study the 1-loop amplitudes described by annulus diagrams with mixed boundary conditions, explaining their rôle in the stringy instanton calculus. We show in particular that the non-holomorphic terms in these annulus amplitudes precisely reconstruct the appropriate Kähler metric factors that are needed to write the instanton correlators in terms of purely holomorphic variables. We also explicitly derive the correct holomorphic structure of the instanton induced low energy effective action in the Coulomb branch.

Skyrmions from Instantons inside Domain Walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eto, Minoru; Nitta, Muneto; Ohashi, Keisuke; Tong, David

2005-12-01

Some years ago, Atiyah and Manton described a method to construct approximate Skyrmion solutions from Yang-Mills instantons. Here we present a dynamical realization of this construction using domain walls in a five-dimensional gauge theory. The non-Abelian gauge symmetry is broken in each vacuum but restored in the core of the domain wall, allowing instantons to nestle inside the wall. We show that the world volume dynamics of the wall is given by the Skyrme model, including the four-derivative term, and the instantons appear as domain wall Skyrmions.

Instantons for vacuum decay at finite temperature in the thin wall limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garriga, Jaume

1994-05-01

In N+1 dimensions, false vacuum decay at zero temperature is dominated by the O(N+1)-symmetric instanton, a sphere of radius R0, whereas at temperatures T>>R-10, the decay is dominated by a ``cylindrical'' (static) O(N)-symmetric instanton. We study the transition between these two regimes in the thin wall approximation. Taking an O(N)-symmetric ansatz for the instantons, we show that for N=2 and N=3 new periodic solutions exist in a finite temperature range in the neighborhood of T~R-10. However, these solutions have a higher action than the spherical or the cylindrical one. This suggests that there is a sudden change (a first order transition) in the derivative of the nucleation rate at a certain temperature T*, when the static instanton starts dominating. For N=1, on the other hand, the new solutions are dominant and they smoothly interpolate between the zero temperature instanton and the high temperature one, so the transition is of second order. The determinantal prefactors corresponding to the ``cylindrical'' instantons are discussed, and it is pointed out that the entropic contributions from massless excitations corresponding to deformations of the domain wall give rise to an exponential enhancement of the nucleation rate for T>>R-10.

Fast summation of divergent series and resurgent transseries from Meijer-G approximants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mera, Héctor; Pedersen, Thomas G.; Nikolić, Branislav K.

2018-05-01

We develop a resummation approach based on Meijer-G functions and apply it to approximate the Borel sum of divergent series and the Borel-Écalle sum of resurgent transseries in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory (QFT). The proposed method is shown to vastly outperform the conventional Borel-Padé and Borel-Padé-Écalle summation methods. The resulting Meijer-G approximants are easily parametrized by means of a hypergeometric ansatz and can be thought of as a generalization to arbitrary order of the Borel-hypergeometric method [Mera et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 143001 (2015), 10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.143001]. Here we demonstrate the accuracy of this technique in various examples from quantum mechanics and QFT, traditionally employed as benchmark models for resummation, such as zero-dimensional ϕ4 theory; the quartic anharmonic oscillator; the calculation of critical exponents for the N -vector model; ϕ4 with degenerate minima; self-interacting QFT in zero dimensions; and the summation of one- and two-instanton contributions in the quantum-mechanical double-well problem.

Weak gravity conjecture as a razor criterium for exotic D-brane instantons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addazi, Andrea

2017-01-01

We discuss implications of weak gravity conjecture (WGC) for exotic D-brane instantons. In particular, WGC leads to indirect stringent bounds on non-perturbative superpotentials generated by exotic instantons with many implications for phenomenology: R-parity violating processes, neutrino mass, μ-problem, neutron-antineutron transitions and collider physics.

Instanton-dyon ensembles reproduce deconfinement and chiral restoration phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shuryak, Edward

2018-03-01

Paradigm shift in gauge topology at finite temperatures, from the instantons to their constituents - instanton-dyons - has recently lead to studies of their ensembles and very significant advances. Like instantons, they have fermionic zero modes, and their collectivization at suffciently high density explains the chiral symmetry breaking transition. Unlike instantons, these objects have electric and magnetic charges. Simulations of the instanton-dyon ensembles have demonstrated that their back reaction on the Polyakov line modifies its potential and generates the deconfinement phase transition. For the Nc = 2 gauge theory the transition is second order, for QCD-like theory with Nc = 2 and two light quark flavors Nf = 2 both transitions are weak crossovers at happening at about the same condition. Introduction of quark-flavor-dependent periodicity phases (imaginary chemical potentials) leads to drastic changes in both transitions. In particulaly, in the so called Z(Nc) - QCD model the deconfinement transforms to strong first order transition, while the chiral condensate does not disappear at all. The talk will also cover more detailed studies of correlations between the dyons, effective eta' mass and other screening masses.

Non-perturbative effects and wall-crossing from topological strings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collinucci, Andrés; Soler, Pablo; Uranga, Angel M.

2009-11-01

We argue that the Gopakumar-Vafa interpretation of the topological string partition function can be used to compute and resum certain non-perturbative brane instanton effects of type II CY compactifications. In particular the topological string A-model encodes the non-perturbative corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space metric from general D1/D(-1)-brane instantons in 4d Script N = 2 IIB models. We also discuss the reduction to 4d Script N = 1 by fluxes and/or orientifolds and/or D-branes, and the prospects to resum brane instanton contributions to non-perturbative superpotentials. We argue that the connection between non-perturbative effects and the topological string underlies the continuity of non-perturbative effects across lines of BPS stability. We also confirm this statement in mirror B-model matrix model examples, relating matrix model instantons to non-perturbative D-brane instantons. The computation of non-perturbative effects from the topological string requires a 3d circle compactification and T-duality, relating effects from particles and instantons, reminiscent of that involved in the physical derivation of the Kontsevich-Soibelmann wall-crossing formula.

The problems in quantum foundations in the light of gauge theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ne'Eman, Yuval

1986-04-01

We review the issues of nonseparability and seemingly acausal propagation of information in EPR, as displayed by experiments and the failure of Bell's inequalities. We show that global effects are in the very nature of the geometric structure of modern physical theories, occurring even at the classical level. The Aharonov-Bohm effect, magnetic monopoles, instantons, etc. result from the topology and homotopy features of the fiber bundle manifolds of gauge theories. The conservation of probabilities, a supposedly highly quantum effect, is also achieved through global geometry equations. The EPR observables all fit in such geometries, and space-time is a truncated representation and is not the correct arena for their understanding. Relativistic quantum field theory represents the global action of the measurement operators as the zero-momentum (and therefore spatially infinitely spread) limit of their wave functions (form factors). We also analyze the collapse of the state vector as a case of spontaneous symmetry breakdown in the apparatus-observed state interaction.

Nucleon QCD sum rules in the instanton medium

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ryskin, M. G.; Drukarev, E. G., E-mail: drukarev@pnpi.spb.ru; Sadovnikova, V. A.

2015-09-15

We try to find grounds for the standard nucleon QCD sum rules, based on a more detailed description of the QCD vacuum. We calculate the polarization operator of the nucleon current in the instanton medium. The medium (QCD vacuum) is assumed to be a composition of the small-size instantons and some long-wave gluon fluctuations. We solve the corresponding QCD sum rule equations and demonstrate that there is a solution with the value of the nucleon mass close to the physical one if the fraction of the small-size instantons contribution is w{sub s} ≈ 2/3.

Multi-instantons and exact results III: Unification of even and odd anharmonic oscillators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jentschura, Ulrich D.; Surzhykov, Andrey; GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt

2010-05-15

This is the third article in a series of three papers on the resonance energy levels of anharmonic oscillators. Whereas the first two papers mainly dealt with double-well potentials and modifications thereof [see J. Zinn-Justin, U.D. Jentschura, Ann. Phys. (N.Y.) 313 (2004) 197 and 269], we here focus on simple even and odd anharmonic oscillators for arbitrary magnitude and complex phase of the coupling parameter. A unification is achieved by the use of PT-symmetry inspired dispersion relations and generalized quantization conditions that include instanton configurations. Higher-order formulas are provided for the oscillators of degrees 3 to 8, which lead tomore » subleading corrections to the leading factorial growth of the perturbative coefficients describing the resonance energies. Numerical results are provided, and higher-order terms are found to be numerically significant. The resonances are described by generalized expansions involving intertwined nonanalytic exponentials, logarithmic terms and power series. Finally, we summarize spectral properties and dispersion relations of anharmonic oscillators, and their interconnections. The purpose is to look at one of the classic problems of quantum theory from a new perspective, through which we gain systematic access to the phenomenologically significant higher-order terms.« less

Phases of five-dimensional theories, monopole walls, and melting crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherkis, Sergey A.

2014-06-01

Moduli spaces of doubly periodic monopoles, also called monopole walls or monowalls, are hyperkähler; thus, when four-dimensional, they are self-dual gravitational instantons. We find all monowalls with lowest number of moduli. Their moduli spaces can be identified, on the one hand, with Coulomb branches of five-dimensional supersymmetric quantum field theories on 3 × T 2 and, on the other hand, with moduli spaces of local Calabi-Yau metrics on the canonical bundle of a del Pezzo surface. We explore the asymptotic metric of these moduli spaces and compare our results with Seiberg's low energy description of the five-dimensional quantum theories. We also give a natural description of the phase structure of general monowall moduli spaces in terms of triangulations of Newton polygons, secondary polyhedra, and associahedral projections of secondary fans.

Instantons on a non-commutative T4 from twisted (2,0) and little string theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheung, Yeuk-Kwan E.; Ganor, Ori J.; Krogh, Morten; Mikhailov, Andrei Yu.

We show that the moduli space of the (2,0) and little-string theories compactified on T3 with R-symmetry twists is equal to the moduli space of U(1) instantons on a non-commutative T4. The moduli space of U( q) instantons on a non-commutative T4 is obtained from little-string theories of NS5-branes at Aq-1 singularities with twists. A large class of gauge theories with N=4 SUSY in 2+1D and N=2 SUSY in 3+1D are limiting cases of these theories. Hence, the moduli spaces of these gauge theories can be read off from the moduli spaces of instantons on non-commutative tori. We study the phase transitions in these theories and the action of T-duality. On the purely mathematical side, we give a prediction for the moduli space of two U(1) instantons on a non-commutative T4.

Hierarchies from D-brane instantons in globally defined calabi-yau orientifolds

DOE PAGES

Cvetič, Mirjam; Weigand, Timo

2008-06-01

We construct the first globally consistent semi-realistic Type I string vacua on an elliptically fibered manifold where the zero modes of the Euclidean D1-instanton sector allow for the generation of non-perturbative Majorana masses of an intermediate scale. In another class of global models, a D1-brane instanton can generate a Polonyi-type superpotential breaking supersymmetry at an exponentially suppressed scale.

Gravitational instantons from minimal surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aliev, A. N.; Hortaçsu, M.; Kalayci, J.; Nutku, Y.

1999-02-01

Physical properties of gravitational instantons which are derivable from minimal surfaces in three-dimensional Euclidean space are examined using the Newman-Penrose formalism for Euclidean signature. The gravitational instanton that corresponds to the helicoid minimal surface is investigated in detail. This is a metric of Bianchi type 0264-9381/16/2/024/img9, or E(2), which admits a hidden symmetry due to the existence of a quadratic Killing tensor. It leads to a complete separation of variables in the Hamilton-Jacobi equation for geodesics, as well as in Laplace's equation for a massless scalar field. The scalar Green function can be obtained in closed form, which enables us to calculate the vacuum fluctuations of a massless scalar field in the background of this instanton.

Confinement, holonomy, and correlated instanton-dyon ensemble: SU(2) Yang-Mills theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopez-Ruiz, Miguel Angel; Jiang, Yin; Liao, Jinfeng

2018-03-01

The mechanism of confinement in Yang-Mills theories remains a challenge to our understanding of nonperturbative gauge dynamics. While it is widely perceived that confinement may arise from chromomagnetically charged gauge configurations with nontrivial topology, it is not clear what types of configurations could do that and how, in pure Yang-Mills and QCD-like (nonsupersymmetric) theories. Recently, a promising approach has emerged, based on statistical ensembles of dyons/anti-dyons that are constituents of instanton/anti-instanton solutions with nontrivial holonomy where the holonomy plays a vital role as an effective "Higgsing" mechanism. We report a thorough numerical investigation of the confinement dynamics in S U (2 ) Yang-Mills theory by constructing such a statistical ensemble of correlated instanton-dyons.

Baryon and lepton number violating effective operators in a non-universal extension of the standard model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fuentes-Martín, J.

2016-01-22

It is well known that non-abelian Yang-Mills theories present non-trivial minima of the action, the so-called instantons. In the context of electroweak theories these instanton solutions may induce violations of baryon and lepton number of the form ΔB = ΔL = n{sub f}, with n{sub f} being the number of families coupled to the gauge group. An interesting feature of these violations is that the flavor structure of the gauge couplings is inherited by the instanton transitions. This effect is generally neglected in the literature. We will show that the inclusion of flavor interactions in the instanton solutions may bemore » interesting in certain theoretical frameworks and will provide an approach to include these effects. In particular we will perform this implementation in the non-universal SU (2){sub l} ⊗SU (2){sub h} ⊗U (1){sub Y} model that singularizes the third family. Within this framework, we will use the instanton transitions to set a bound on the SU (2){sub h} gauge coupling.« less

Instanton rate constant calculations close to and above the crossover temperature.

PubMed

McConnell, Sean; Kästner, Johannes

2017-11-15

Canonical instanton theory is known to overestimate the rate constant close to a system-dependent crossover temperature and is inapplicable above that temperature. We compare the accuracy of the reaction rate constants calculated using recent semi-classical rate expressions to those from canonical instanton theory. We show that rate constants calculated purely from solving the stability matrix for the action in degrees of freedom orthogonal to the instanton path is not applicable at arbitrarily low temperatures and use two methods to overcome this. Furthermore, as a by-product of the developed methods, we derive a simple correction to canonical instanton theory that can alleviate this known overestimation of rate constants close to the crossover temperature. The combined methods accurately reproduce the rate constants of the canonical theory along the whole temperature range without the spurious overestimation near the crossover temperature. We calculate and compare rate constants on three different reactions: H in the Müller-Brown potential, methylhydroxycarbene → acetaldehyde and H 2  + OH → H + H 2 O. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

BOOK REVIEW: Solitons, Instantons, and Twistors Solitons, Instantons, and Twistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witt, Donald M.

2011-04-01

Solitons and instantons play important roles both in pure and applied mathematics as well as in theoretical physics where they are related to the topological structure of the vacuum. Twistors are a useful tool for solving nonlinear differential equations and are useful for the study of the antiself-dual Yang-Mills equations and the Einstein equations. Many books and more advanced monographs have been written on these topics. However, this new book by Maciej Dunajski is a complete first introduction to all of the topics in the title. Moreover, it covers them in a very unique way, through integrable systems. The approach taken in this book is that of mathematical physics à la field theory. The book starts by giving an introduction to integrable systems of ordinary and partial differential equations and proceeds from there. Gauge theories are not covered until chapter 6 which means the reader learning the material for the first time can build up confidence with simpler models of solitons and instantons before encountering them in gauge theories. The book also has an extremely clear introduction to twistor theory useful to both mathematicians and physicists. In particular, the twistor theory presentation may be of interest to string theorists wanting understand twistors. There are many useful connections to research into general relativity. Chapter 9 on gravitational instantons is great treatment useful to anyone doing research in classical or quantum gravity. There is also a nice discussion of Kaluza-Klein monopoles. The three appendices A-C cover the necessary background material of basic differential geometry, complex manifolds, and partial differential equations needed to fully understand the subject. The reader who has some level of expertise in any of the topics covered can jump right into that material without necessarily reading all of the earlier chapters because of the extremely clear writing style of the author. This makes the book an excellent reference on instantons, solitons and twistors. However, I found it useful to read the whole book because the author has a beautiful perspective on and presentation of the material. Maciej Dunajski developed the book out of notes from a series of lecture courses he taught on these subjects over a five year period at Cambridge University. This fact makes the book an excellent choice for a textbook on the subject with each of the 10 chapters containing nice problems and exercises. Additionally, the wealth of information contained in the book makes it a great reference book for any theoretical physicist or mathematician to own. As an introduction to an exciting area of research, this book is excellent because it is not only accessible but self contained. A wonderful feature of the book is the clear and informative explanation of the topics and the wealth of examples. The presentation style of the book means that it is accessible to readers ranging from advanced undergraduates doing research to experts. It would be an excellent textbook for a course at the advanced undergraduate level or graduate level in either mathematics or physics. This book will become a standard on the subject. The typesetting of the book is very clean, with nicely sized fonts and clean uniform notation. It includes 35 illustrations which helpfully illustrated text. It is my pleasure to highly recommend it to anyone from an advanced undergraduate to a researcher in the fields covered.

M-theoretic derivations of 4d-2d dualities: from a geometric Langlands duality for surfaces, to the AGT correspondence, to integrable systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Meng-Chwan

2013-07-01

In part I, we extend our analysis in [arXiv:0807.1107], and show that a mathematically conjectured geometric Langlands duality for complex surfaces in [1], and its generalizations — which relate some cohomology of the moduli space of certain ("ramified") G-instantons to the integrable representations of the Langlands dual of certain affine (sub) G-algebras, where G is any compact Lie group — can be derived, purely physically, from the principle that the spacetime BPS spectra of string-dual M-theory compactifications ought to be equivalent. In part II, to the setup in part I, we introduce Omega-deformation via fluxbranes and add half-BPS boundary defects via M9-branes, and show that the celebrated AGT correspondence in [2, 3], and its generalizations — which essentially relate, among other things, some equivariant cohomology of the moduli space of certain ("ramified") G-instantons to the integrable representations of the Langlands dual of certain affine -algebras — can likewise be derived from the principle that the spacetime BPS spectra of string-dual M-theory compactifications ought to be equivalent. In part III, we consider various limits of our setup in part II, and connect our story to chiral fermions and integrable systems. Among other things, we derive the NekrasovOkounkov conjecture in [4] — which relates the topological string limit of the dual Nekrasov partition function for pure G to the integrable representations of the Langlands dual of an affine G-algebra — and also demonstrate that the Nekrasov-Shatashvili limit of the "fullyramified" Nekrasov instanton partition function for pure G is a simultaneous eigenfunction of the quantum Toda Hamiltonians associated with the Langlands dual of an affine G-algebra. Via the case with matter, we also make contact with Hitchin systems and the "ramified" geometric Langlands correspondence for curves.

Recovering the negative mode for type B Coleman-de Luccia instantons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, I.-Sheng

2013-04-01

The usual (type A) thin-wall Coleman—de Luccia instanton is made by a bigger-than-half sphere of the false vacuum and a smaller-than-half sphere of the true vacuum. It has the standard O(4) symmetric negative mode associated with changing the size of the true vacuum region. On the other hand, the type B instanton, made by two smaller-than-half spheres, was believed to have lost this negative mode. We argue that such a belief is misguided due to an overrestriction on the Euclidean path integral. We introduce the idea of a “purely geometric junction” to visualize why such a restriction could be removed, and then we explicitly construct this negative mode. We also show that type B and type A instantons have the same thermal interpretation for mediating tunnelings.

Instantons in Self-Organizing Logic Gates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bearden, Sean R. B.; Manukian, Haik; Traversa, Fabio L.; Di Ventra, Massimiliano

2018-03-01

Self-organizing logic is a recently suggested framework that allows the solution of Boolean truth tables "in reverse"; i.e., it is able to satisfy the logical proposition of gates regardless to which terminal(s) the truth value is assigned ("terminal-agnostic logic"). It can be realized if time nonlocality (memory) is present. A practical realization of self-organizing logic gates (SOLGs) can be done by combining circuit elements with and without memory. By employing one such realization, we show, numerically, that SOLGs exploit elementary instantons to reach equilibrium points. Instantons are classical trajectories of the nonlinear equations of motion describing SOLGs and connect topologically distinct critical points in the phase space. By linear analysis at those points, we show that these instantons connect the initial critical point of the dynamics, with at least one unstable direction, directly to the final fixed point. We also show that the memory content of these gates affects only the relaxation time to reach the logically consistent solution. Finally, we demonstrate, by solving the corresponding stochastic differential equations, that, since instantons connect critical points, noise and perturbations may change the instanton trajectory in the phase space but not the initial and final critical points. Therefore, even for extremely large noise levels, the gates self-organize to the correct solution. Our work provides a physical understanding of, and can serve as an inspiration for, models of bidirectional logic gates that are emerging as important tools in physics-inspired, unconventional computing.

The instanton method and its numerical implementation in fluid mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grafke, Tobias; Grauer, Rainer; Schäfer, Tobias

2015-08-01

A precise characterization of structures occurring in turbulent fluid flows at high Reynolds numbers is one of the last open problems of classical physics. In this review we discuss recent developments related to the application of instanton methods to turbulence. Instantons are saddle point configurations of the underlying path integrals. They are equivalent to minimizers of the related Freidlin-Wentzell action and known to be able to characterize rare events in such systems. While there is an impressive body of work concerning their analytical description, this review focuses on the question on how to compute these minimizers numerically. In a short introduction we present the relevant mathematical and physical background before we discuss the stochastic Burgers equation in detail. We present algorithms to compute instantons numerically by an efficient solution of the corresponding Euler-Lagrange equations. A second focus is the discussion of a recently developed numerical filtering technique that allows to extract instantons from direct numerical simulations. In the following we present modifications of the algorithms to make them efficient when applied to two- or three-dimensional (2D or 3D) fluid dynamical problems. We illustrate these ideas using the 2D Burgers equation and the 3D Navier-Stokes equations.

New Kaluza-Klein instantons and the decay of AdS vacua

DOE PAGES

Ooguri, Hirosi; Spodyneiko, Lev

2017-07-19

We construct a generalization of Witten’s Kaluza-Klein instanton, where a higher-dimensional sphere (rather than a circle as in Witten’s instanton) collapses to zero size and the geometry terminates at a bubble of nothing, in a low energy effective theory of M theory. We then use the solution to exhibit the instability of nonsupersymmetric AdS 5 vacua in M theory compactified on positive Kähler-Einstein spaces, providing further evidence for the recent conjecture that any nonsupersymmetric anti–de Sitter vacuum supported by fluxes must be unstable.

Phantom of the Hartle–Hawking instanton: Connecting inflation with dark energy

DOE PAGES

Chen, Pisin; Qiu, Taotao; Yeom, Dong -han

2016-02-20

If the Hartle–Hawking wave function is the correct boundary condition of our universe, the history of our universe will be well approximated by an instanton. Although this instanton should be classicalized at infinity, as long as we are observing a process of each history, we may detect a non-classicalized part of field combinations. When we apply it to a dark energy model, this non-classicalized part of fields can be well embedded to a quintessence and a phantom model, i.e., a quintom model. Because of the property of complexified instantons, the phantomness will be naturally free from a big rip singularity.more » This phantomness does not cause perturbative instabilities, as it is an effect emergent from the entire wave function. Lastly, our work may thus provide a theoretical basis for the quintom models, whose equation of state can cross the cosmological constant boundary phenomenologically.« less

Phantom of the Hartle-Hawking instanton: connecting inflation with dark energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Pisin; Qiu, Taotao; Yeom, Dong-han

2016-02-01

If the Hartle-Hawking wave function is the correct boundary condition of our universe, the history of our universe will be well approximated by an instanton. Although this instanton should be classicalized at infinity, as long as we are observing a process of each history, we may detect a non-classicalized part of field combinations. When we apply it to a dark energy model, this non-classicalized part of fields can be well embedded to a quintessence and a phantom model, i.e., a quintom model. Because of the property of complexified instantons, the phantomness will be naturally free from a big rip singularity. This phantomness does not cause perturbative instabilities, as it is an effect emergent from the entire wave function. Our work may thus provide a theoretical basis for the quintom models, whose equation of state can cross the cosmological constant boundary phenomenologically.

Baryonic popcorn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaplunovsky, Vadim; Melnikov, Dmitry; Sonnenschein, Jacob

2012-11-01

In the large N c limit cold dense nuclear matter must be in a lattice phase. This applies also to holographic models of hadron physics. In a class of such models, like the generalized Sakai-Sugimoto model, baryons take the form of instantons of the effective flavor gauge theory that resides on probe flavor branes. In this paper we study the phase structure of baryonic crystals by analyzing discrete periodic configurations of such instantons. We find that instanton configurations exhibit a series of "popcorn" transitions upon increasing the density. Through these transitions normal (3D) lattices expand into the transverse dimension, eventually becoming a higher dimensional (4D) multi-layer lattice at large densities. We consider 3D lattices of zero size instantons as well as 1D periodic chains of finite size instantons, which serve as toy models of the full holographic systems. In particular, for the finite-size case we determine solutions of the corresponding ADHM equations for both a straight chain and for a 2D zigzag configuration where instantons pop up into the holographic dimension. At low density the system takes the form of an "abelian anti- ferromagnetic" straight periodic chain. Above a critical density there is a second order phase transition into a zigzag structure. An even higher density yields a rich phase space characterized by the formation of multi-layer zigzag structures. The finite size of the lattices in the transverse dimension is a signal of an emerging Fermi sea of quarks. We thus propose that the popcorn transitions indicate the onset of the "quarkyonic" phase of the cold dense nuclear matter.

Spheres, charges, instantons, and bootstrap: A five-dimensional odyssey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Chi-Ming; Fluder, Martin; Lin, Ying-Hsuan; Wang, Yifan

2018-03-01

We combine supersymmetric localization and the conformal bootstrap to study five-dimensional superconformal field theories. To begin, we classify the admissible counter-terms and derive a general relation between the five-sphere partition function and the conformal and flavor central charges. Along the way, we discover a new superconformal anomaly in five dimensions. We then propose a precise triple factorization formula for the five-sphere partition function, that incorporates instantons and is consistent with flavor symmetry enhancement. We numerically evaluate the central charges for the rank-one Seiberg and Morrison-Seiberg theories, and find strong evidence for their saturation of bootstrap bounds, thereby determining the spectra of long multiplets in these theories. Lastly, our results provide new evidence for the F-theorem and possibly a C-theorem in five-dimensional superconformal theories.

Duality between electric and magnetic black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hawking, S. W.; Ross, Simon F.

1995-11-01

A number of attempts have recently been made to extend the conjectured S duality of Yang-Mills theory to gravity. Central to these speculations has been the belief that electrically and magnetically charged black holes, the solitons of quantum gravity, have identical quantum properties. This is not obvious, because, although duality is a symmetry of the classical equations of motion, it changes the sign of the Maxwell action. Nevertheless, we show that the chemical potential and charge projection that one has to introduce for electric but not magnetic black holes exactly compensate for the difference in action in the semiclassical approximation. In particular, we show that the pair production of electric black holes is not a runaway process, as one might think if one just went by the action of the relevant instanton. We also comment on the definition of the entropy in cosmological situations, and show that we need to be more careful when defining the entropy than we are in an asymptotically flat case.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ovchinnikov, Igor V.

Here, a scenario is proposed, according to which a generic self-organized critical (SOC) system can be looked upon as a Witten-type topological field theory (W-TFT) with spontaneously broken Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) symmetry. One of the conditions for the SOC is the slow driving noise, which unambiguously suggests Stratonovich interpretation of the corresponding stochastic differential equation (SDE). This, in turn, necessitates the use of Parisi-Sourlas-Wu stochastic quantization procedure, which straightforwardly leads to a model with BRST-exact action, i.e., to a W-TFT. In the parameter space of the SDE, there must exist full-dimensional regions where the BRST symmetry is spontaneously broken by instantons,more » which in the context of SOC are essentially avalanches. In these regions, the avalanche-type SOC dynamics is liberated from overwise a rightful dynamics-less W-TFT, and a Goldstone mode of Fadeev-Popov ghosts exists. Goldstinos represent moduli of instantons (avalanches) and being gapless are responsible for the critical avalanche distribution in the low-energy, long-wavelength limit. The above arguments are robust against moderate variations of the SDE's parameters and the criticality is 'self-tuned'. The proposition of this paper suggests that the machinery of W-TFTs may find its applications in many different areas of modern science studying various physical realizations of SOC. It also suggests that there may in principle exist a connection between some SOC's and the concept of topological quantum computing.« less

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Gravitational instantons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nutku, Y.; Sheftel', M. B.; Malykh, A. A.

1997-03-01

New instanton solutions of the Einstein field equations are presented. These solutions are obtained from a reduction of the complex Monge - Ampère equation governing metrics with anti-self-dual curvature to an interesting two-dimensional real Monge - Ampère equation.

Floquet Engineering in Quantum Chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kennes, D. M.; de la Torre, A.; Ron, A.; Hsieh, D.; Millis, A. J.

2018-03-01

We consider a one-dimensional interacting spinless fermion model, which displays the well-known Luttinger liquid (LL) to charge density wave (CDW) transition as a function of the ratio between the strength of the interaction U and the hopping J . We subject this system to a spatially uniform drive which is ramped up over a finite time interval and becomes time periodic in the long-time limit. We show that by using a density matrix renormalization group approach formulated for infinite system sizes, we can access the large-time limit even when the drive induces finite heating. When both the initial and long-time states are in the gapless (LL) phase, the final state has power-law correlations for all ramp speeds. However, when the initial and final state are gapped (CDW phase), we find a pseudothermal state with an effective temperature that depends on the ramp rate, both for the Magnus regime in which the drive frequency is very large compared to other scales in the system and in the opposite limit where the drive frequency is less than the gap. Remarkably, quantum defects (instantons) appear when the drive tunes the system through the quantum critical point, in a realization of the Kibble-Zurek mechanism.

Compact singularity-free Kerr-Newman-de Sitter instantons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chruściel, Piotr T.; Hörzinger, Michael

2017-04-01

Generalizing the results in Chruściel and Hörzinger [J. High Energy Phys. 16 (2016) 1, 10.1007/JHEP04(2016)012], we construct further families of compact Einstein-Maxwell instantons associated with the Kerr-Newman metrics with a positive cosmological constant.

Gravitational instantons admit hyper-Kähler structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aliev, A. N.; Nutku, Y.

1999-01-01

We construct the explicit form of three almost-complex structures that a Riemannian manifold with self-dual curvature admits and show that their Nijenhuis tensors vanish so that they are integrable. This proves that gravitational instantons with self-dual curvature admit hyper-Kähler structure. In order to arrive at the three vector-valued 1-forms defining almost-complex structure, we give a spinor description of real four-dimensional Riemannian manifolds with Euclidean signature in terms of two independent sets of two-component spinors. This is a version of the original Newman-Penrose formalism that is appropriate to the discussion of the mathematical, as well as physical properties of gravitational instantons. We shall build on the work of Goldblatt who first developed an NP formalism for gravitational instantons but we shall adopt it to differential forms in the NP basis to make the formalism much more compact. We shall show that the spin coefficients, connection 1-form, curvature 2-form, Ricci and Bianchi identities, as well as the Maxwell equations naturally split up into their self-dual and anti-self-dual parts corresponding to the two independent spin frames. We shall give the complex dyad as well as the spinor formulation of the almost-complex structures and show that they reappear under the guise of a triad basis for the Petrov classification of gravitational instantons. Completing the work of Salamon on hyper-Kähler structure, we show that the vanishing of the Nijenhuis tensor for all three almost-complex structures depends on the choice of a self-dual gauge for the connection which is guaranteed by virtue of the fact that the curvature 2-form is self-dual for gravitational instantons.

Dimension changing phase transitions in instanton crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaplunovsky, Vadim; Sonnenschein, Jacob

2014-04-01

We investigate lattices of instantons and the dimension-changing transitions between them. Our ultimate goal is the 3D → 4D transition, which is holographically dual to the phase transition between the baryonic and the quarkyonic phases of cold nuclear matter. However, in this paper (just as in [1]) we focus on lower dimensions — the 1D lattice of instantons in a harmonic potential V ∝ , and the zigzag-shaped lattice as a first stage of the 1D → 2D transition. We prove that in the low- and moderate-density regimes, interactions between the instantons are dominated by two-body forces. This drastically simplifies finding the ground state of the instantons' orientations, so we made a numeric scan of the whole orientation space instead of assuming any particular ansatz. We find that depending on the M 2 /M 3 /M 4 ratios, the ground state of instanton orientations can follow a wide variety of patterns. For the straight 1D lattices, we found orientations periodically running over elements of a , Klein, prismatic, or dihedral subgroup of the , as well as irrational but link-periodic patterns. For the zigzag-shaped lattices, we detected 4 distinct orientation phases — the anti-ferromagnet, another abelian phase, and two non-abelian phases. Allowing the zigzag amplitude to vary as a function of increasing compression force, we obtained the phase diagrams for the straight and zigzag-shaped lattices in the (force , M 3 /M 4), (chemical potential , M 3 /M 4), and (density , M 3 /M 4) planes. Some of the transitions between these phases are second-order while others are first-order. Our techniques can be applied to other types of non-abelian crystals.

Does standard Monte Carlo give justice to instantons?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fucito, F.; Solomon, S.

1984-01-01

The results of the standard local Monte Carlo are changed by offering instantons as candidates in the Metropolis procedure. We also define an O(3) topological charge with no contribution from planar dislocations. The RG behavior is still not recovered. Bantrell Fellow in Theoretical Physics.

Gravitational Instantons and Minimal Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nutku, Y.

1996-12-01

We show that for every minimal surface in E3 there is a gravitational instanton, an exact solution of the Einstein field equations with Euclidean signature and anti-self-dual curvature. The explicit metric establishing this correspondence is presented and a new class of exact solutions are obtained.

Control and instanton trajectories for random transitions in turbulent flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchet, Freddy; Laurie, Jason; Zaboronski, Oleg

2011-12-01

Many turbulent systems exhibit random switches between qualitatively different attractors. The transition between these bistable states is often an extremely rare event, that can not be computed through DNS, due to complexity limitations. We present results for the calculation of instanton trajectories (a control problem) between non-equilibrium stationary states (attractors) in the 2D stochastic Navier-Stokes equations. By representing the transition probability between two states using a path integral formulation, we can compute the most probable trajectory (instanton) joining two non-equilibrium stationary states. Technically, this is equivalent to the minimization of an action, which can be related to a fluid mechanics control problem.

Imaginary potential of moving quarkonia in a D-instanton background

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Zi-qiang; Hou, De-fu; Chen, Gang

2017-11-01

The imaginary part of the inter-quark potential of moving heavy quarkonia is investigated in the context of dual super-gravity in an AdS background, deformed by a dilaton which induces the gauge field condensate in the dual gauge theory. A quark-anti-quark pair is analyzed, moving transverse and parallel to the plasma wind, in turn. It is shown that in both cases increased D-instanton density tends to increase the inter-distance and decrease the imaginary potential, opposite to the effect of the pair’s velocity. Moreover, it is found that the D-instanton density has stronger effects in the parallel case than the transverse.

Wormholes and Child Universes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guendelman, E. I.

Evidence to the case that classical gravitation provides the clue to make sense out of quantum gravity is presented. The key observation is the existence in classical gravitation of child universe solutions or "almost" solutions, "almost" because of some singularity problems. The difficulties of these child universe solutions that are due to their generic singularity problems will be very likely be cured by quantum effects, just like for example "almost" instanton solutions are made relevant in gauge theories with the breaking of conformal invariance. Some well-motivated modifcations of general relativity where these singularity problems are absent even at the classical level are discussed. High energy density excitations, responsible for UV divergences in quantum field theories, including quantum gravity, are likely to be the source of child universes which carry them out of the original space-time. This decoupling could prevent these high UV excitations from having any influence on physical amplitudes. Child universe production could therefore be responsible for UV regularization in quantum field theories which take into account semiclassically gravitational effects. Child universe production in the last stages of black hole evaporation, the prediction of absence of trans-Planckian primordial perturbations, connection to the minimum length hypothesis, and in particular the connection to the maximal curvature hypothesis are discussed. Some discussion of superexcited states in the case these states such as Kaluza-Klein excitations are carried out. Finally, the possibility of obtaining "string like" effects from the wormholes associated with the child universes is discussed.

Multiple D3-Instantons and Mock Modular Forms I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish; Manschot, Jan; Pioline, Boris

2017-07-01

We study D3-instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type IIB string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold. In a previous work, consistency of D3-instantons with S-duality was established at first order in the instanton expansion, using the modular properties of the M5-brane elliptic genus. We extend this analysis to the two-instanton level, where wall-crossing phenomena start playing a role. We focus on the contact potential, an analogue of the Kähler potential which must transform as a modular form under S-duality. We show that it can be expressed in terms of a suitable modification of the partition function of D4-D2-D0 BPS black holes, constructed out of the generating function of MSW invariants (the latter coincide with Donaldson-Thomas invariants in a particular chamber). Modular invariance of the contact potential then requires that, in the case where the D3-brane wraps a reducible divisor, the generating function of MSW invariants must transform as a vector-valued mock modular form, with a specific modular completion built from the MSW invariants of the constituents. Physically, this gives a powerful constraint on the degeneracies of BPS black holes. Mathematically, our result gives a universal prediction for the modular properties of Donaldson-Thomas invariants of pure two-dimensional sheaves.

3d expansions of 5d instanton partition functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nieri, Fabrizio; Pan, Yiwen; Zabzine, Maxim

2018-04-01

We propose a set of novel expansions of Nekrasov's instanton partition functions. Focusing on 5d supersymmetric pure Yang-Mills theory with unitary gauge group on C_{q,{t}^{-1}}^2× S^1 , we show that the instanton partition function admits expansions in terms of partition functions of unitary gauge theories living on the 3d subspaces C_q× S^1 , C_{t^{-1}}× S^1 and their intersection along S^1 . These new expansions are natural from the BPS/CFT viewpoint, as they can be matched with W q,t correlators involving an arbitrary number of screening charges of two kinds. Our constructions generalize and interpolate existing results in the literature.

Instantons and entanglement entropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, Arpan; Hung, Ling-Yan; Melby-Thompson, Charles M.

2017-10-01

We would like to put the area law — believed to be obeyed by entanglement entropies in the ground state of a local field theory — to scrutiny in the presence of nonperturbative effects. We study instanton corrections to entanglement entropy in various models whose instanton contributions are well understood, including U(1) gauge theory in 2+1 dimensions and false vacuum decay in ϕ 4 theory, and we demonstrate that the area law is indeed obeyed in these models. We also perform numerical computations for toy wavefunctions mimicking the theta vacuum of the (1+1)-dimensional Schwinger model. Our results indicate that such superpositions exhibit no more violation of the area law than the logarithmic behavior of a single Fermi surface.

F-theoretic vs microscopic description of a conformal mathcal{N} = 2 SYM theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Billò, Marco; Gallot, Laurent; Lerda, Alberto; Pesando, Igor

2010-11-01

The F-theory background of four D7 branes in a type I' orientifold was conjectured to be described by the Seiberg-Witten curve for the superconformal SU(2) gauge theory with four flavors. This relation was explained by considering in this background a probe D3 brane, which supports this theory with SU(2) realized as Sp(1). Here we explicitly compute the non-perturbative corrections to the D7/D3 system in type I' due to D-instantons. This computation provides both the quartic effective action on the D7 branes and the quadratic effective action on the D3 brane; the latter agrees with the F-theoretic prediction. The action obtained in this way is related to the one derived from the usual instanton calculus à la Nekrasov (or from its AGT realization in terms of Liouville conformal blocks) by means of a non-perturbative redefinition of the coupling constant. We also point out an intriguing relation between the four-dimensional theory on the probe D3 brane with SO(8) flavor symmetry and the eight-dimensional dynamics on the D7 branes. On the latter, SO(8) represents a gauge group and the flavor masses correspond to the vacuum expectation values of an adjoint scalar field m: what we find is that the exact effective coupling in four dimensions is obtained from its perturbative part by taking into account in its mass dependence the full quantum dynamics of the field m in eight dimensions.

Coleman-de Luccia instanton in dRGT massive gravity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Ying-li; Saito, Ryo; Yeom, Dong-han

2014-02-01

We study the Coleman-de Luccia (CDL) instanton characterizing the tunneling from a false vacuum to the true vacuum in a semi-classical way in dRGT (deRham-Gabadadze-Tolley) massive gravity theory, and evaluate the dependence of the tunneling rate on the model parameters. It is found that provided with the same physical Hubble parameters for the true vacuum H{sub T} and the false vacuum H{sub F} as in General Relativity (GR), the thin-wall approximation method implies the same tunneling rate as GR. However, deviations of tunneling rate from GR arise when one goes beyond the thin-wall approximation and they change monotonically until themore » Hawking-Moss (HM) case. Moreover, under the thin-wall approximation, the HM process may dominate over the CDL one if the value for the graviton mass is larger than the inverse of the radius of the bubble.« less

Giant graviton interactions and M2-branes ending on multiple M5-branes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirano, Shinji; Sato, Yuki

2018-05-01

We study splitting and joining interactions of giant gravitons with angular momenta N 1/2 ≪ J ≪ N in the type IIB string theory on AdS 5 × S 5 by describing them as instantons in the tiny graviton matrix model introduced by Sheikh-Jabbari. At large J the instanton equation can be mapped to the four-dimensional Laplace equation and the Coulomb potential for m point charges in an n-sheeted Riemann space corresponds to the m-to- n interaction process of giant gravitons. These instantons provide the holographic dual of correlators of all semi-heavy operators and the instanton amplitudes exactly agree with the pp-wave limit of Schur polynomial correlators in N = 4 SYM computed by Corley, Jevicki and Ramgoolam. By making a slight change of variables the same instanton equation is mathematically transformed into the Basu-Harvey equation which describes the system of M2-branes ending on M5-branes. As it turns out, the solutions to the sourceless Laplace equation on an n-sheeted Riemann space correspond to n M5-branes connected by M2-branes and we find general solutions representing M2-branes ending on multiple M5-branes. Among other solutions, the n = 3 case describes an M2-branes junction ending on three M5-branes. The effective theory on the moduli space of our solutions might shed light on the low energy effective theory of multiple M5-branes.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nekrasov, Nikita; ITEP, Moscow; Shatashvili, Samson

Supersymmetric vacua of two dimensional N = 4 gauge theories with matter, softly broken by the twisted masses down to N = 2, are shown to be in one-to-one correspondence with the eigenstates of integrable spin chain Hamiltonians. Examples include: the Heisenberg SU(2)XXX spin chain which is mapped to the two dimensional U(N) theory with fundamental hypermultiplets, the XXZ spin chain which is mapped to the analogous three dimensional super-Yang-Mills theory compactified on a circle, the XYZ spin chain and eight-vertex model which are related to the four dimensional theory compactified on T{sup 2}. A consequence of our correspondence ismore » the isomorphism of the quantum cohomology ring of various quiver varieties, such as cotangent bundles to (partial) flag varieties and the ring of quantum integrals of motion of various spin chains. The correspondence extends to any spin group, representations, boundary conditions, and inhomogeneity, it includes Sinh-Gordon and non-linear Schroedinger models as well as the dynamical spin chains like Hubbard model. Compactifications of four dimensional N = 2 theories on a two-sphere lead to the instanton-corrected Bethe equations.« less

Twistor theory at fifty: from contour integrals to twistor strings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atiyah, Michael; Dunajski, Maciej; Mason, Lionel J.

2017-10-01

We review aspects of twistor theory, its aims and achievements spanning the last five decades. In the twistor approach, space-time is secondary with events being derived objects that correspond to compact holomorphic curves in a complex threefold-the twistor space. After giving an elementary construction of this space, we demonstrate how solutions to linear and nonlinear equations of mathematical physics-anti-self-duality equations on Yang-Mills or conformal curvature-can be encoded into twistor cohomology. These twistor correspondences yield explicit examples of Yang-Mills and gravitational instantons, which we review. They also underlie the twistor approach to integrability: the solitonic systems arise as symmetry reductions of anti-self-dual (ASD) Yang-Mills equations, and Einstein-Weyl dispersionless systems are reductions of ASD conformal equations. We then review the holomorphic string theories in twistor and ambitwistor spaces, and explain how these theories give rise to remarkable new formulae for the computation of quantum scattering amplitudes. Finally, we discuss the Newtonian limit of twistor theory and its possible role in Penrose's proposal for a role of gravity in quantum collapse of a wave function.

Twistor theory at fifty: from contour integrals to twistor strings.

PubMed

Atiyah, Michael; Dunajski, Maciej; Mason, Lionel J

2017-10-01

We review aspects of twistor theory, its aims and achievements spanning the last five decades. In the twistor approach, space-time is secondary with events being derived objects that correspond to compact holomorphic curves in a complex threefold-the twistor space. After giving an elementary construction of this space, we demonstrate how solutions to linear and nonlinear equations of mathematical physics-anti-self-duality equations on Yang-Mills or conformal curvature-can be encoded into twistor cohomology. These twistor correspondences yield explicit examples of Yang-Mills and gravitational instantons, which we review. They also underlie the twistor approach to integrability: the solitonic systems arise as symmetry reductions of anti-self-dual (ASD) Yang-Mills equations, and Einstein-Weyl dispersionless systems are reductions of ASD conformal equations. We then review the holomorphic string theories in twistor and ambitwistor spaces, and explain how these theories give rise to remarkable new formulae for the computation of quantum scattering amplitudes. Finally, we discuss the Newtonian limit of twistor theory and its possible role in Penrose's proposal for a role of gravity in quantum collapse of a wave function.

Twistor theory at fifty: from contour integrals to twistor strings

PubMed Central

Atiyah, Michael; Mason, Lionel J.

2017-01-01

We review aspects of twistor theory, its aims and achievements spanning the last five decades. In the twistor approach, space–time is secondary with events being derived objects that correspond to compact holomorphic curves in a complex threefold—the twistor space. After giving an elementary construction of this space, we demonstrate how solutions to linear and nonlinear equations of mathematical physics—anti-self-duality equations on Yang–Mills or conformal curvature—can be encoded into twistor cohomology. These twistor correspondences yield explicit examples of Yang–Mills and gravitational instantons, which we review. They also underlie the twistor approach to integrability: the solitonic systems arise as symmetry reductions of anti-self-dual (ASD) Yang–Mills equations, and Einstein–Weyl dispersionless systems are reductions of ASD conformal equations. We then review the holomorphic string theories in twistor and ambitwistor spaces, and explain how these theories give rise to remarkable new formulae for the computation of quantum scattering amplitudes. Finally, we discuss the Newtonian limit of twistor theory and its possible role in Penrose’s proposal for a role of gravity in quantum collapse of a wave function. PMID:29118667

The ground state tunneling splitting and the zero point energy of malonaldehyde: a quantum Monte Carlo determination.

PubMed

Viel, Alexandra; Coutinho-Neto, Maurício D; Manthe, Uwe

2007-01-14

Quantum dynamics calculations of the ground state tunneling splitting and of the zero point energy of malonaldehyde on the full dimensional potential energy surface proposed by Yagi et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 1154, 10647 (2001)] are reported. The exact diffusion Monte Carlo and the projection operator imaginary time spectral evolution methods are used to compute accurate benchmark results for this 21-dimensional ab initio potential energy surface. A tunneling splitting of 25.7+/-0.3 cm-1 is obtained, and the vibrational ground state energy is found to be 15 122+/-4 cm-1. Isotopic substitution of the tunneling hydrogen modifies the tunneling splitting down to 3.21+/-0.09 cm-1 and the vibrational ground state energy to 14 385+/-2 cm-1. The computed tunneling splittings are slightly higher than the experimental values as expected from the potential energy surface which slightly underestimates the barrier height, and they are slightly lower than the results from the instanton theory obtained using the same potential energy surface.

Toward one-loop tunneling rates of near-extremal magnetic black hole pair production

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yi, P.

Pair production of magnetic Reissner-Nordstroem black holes (of charges [plus minus][ital q]) was recently studied in the leading WKB approximation. Here we consider generic quantum fluctuations in the corresponding instanton geometry given by the Euclidean Ernst metric, in order to simulate the behavior of the one-loop tunneling rate. A detailed study of the Ernst metric suggests that for a sufficiently weak field [ital B], the problem can be reduced to that of quantum fluctuations around a single near-extremal Euclidean black hole in thermal equilibrium with a heat bath of finite size. After appropriate renormalization procedures, typical one-loop contributions to themore » WKB exponent are shown to be inversely proportional to [ital B], as [ital B][r arrow]0, indicating that the leading Schwinger term is corrected by a small fraction [similar to][h bar]/[ital q][sup 2]. We demonstrate that this correction to the Schwinger term is actually due to a semiclassical shift of the black hole mass-to-charge ratio that persists even in the extremal limit. Finally we discuss a few loose ends.« less

Nonperturbative corrections to 4D string theory effective actions from SL(2,Z) duality and supersymmetry.

PubMed

Robles-Llana, Daniel; Rocek, Martin; Saueressig, Frank; Theis, Ulrich; Vandoren, Stefan

2007-05-25

We find the D(-1)- and D1-brane instanton contributions to the hypermultiplet moduli space of type IIB string compactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds. These combine with known perturbative and world sheet instanton corrections into a single modular invariant function that determines the hypermultiplet low-energy effective action.

ABJM Wilson loops in arbitrary representations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatsuda, Yasuyuki; Honda, Masazumi; Moriyama, Sanefumi; Okuyama, Kazumi

2013-10-01

We study vacuum expectation values (VEVs) of circular half BPS Wilson loops in arbitrary representations in ABJM theory. We find that those in hook representations are reduced to elementary integrations thanks to the Fermi gas formalism, which are accessible from the numerical studies similar to the partition function in the previous studies. For non-hook representations, we show that the VEVs in the grand canonical formalism can be exactly expressed as determinants of those in the hook representations. Using these facts, we can study the instanton effects of the VEVs in various representations. Our results are consistent with the worldsheet instanton effects studied from the topological string and a prescription to include the membrane instanton effects by shifting the chemical potential, which has been successful for the partition function.

World sheet instantons via the Myers effect and Script N = 1* quiver superpotentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hollowood, Timothy J.; Kumar, S. Prem

2002-10-01

In this note we explore the stringy interpretation of non-perturbative effects in Script N = 1* deformations of the Ak-1 quiver models. For certain types of deformations we argue that the massive vacua are described by Nk fractional D3-branes at the orbifold polarizing into k concentric 5-brane spheres each carrying fractional brane charge. The polarization of the D3-branes induces a polarization of D-instantons into string world-sheets wrapped on the Myers spheres. We show that the superpotentials in these models are indeed generated by these world-sheet instantons. We point out that for certain parameter values the condensates yield the exact superpotential for a relevant deformation of the Klebanov-Witten conifold theory.

The dissociation and recombination rates of CH4 through the Ni(111) surface: The effect of lattice motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wenji; Zhao, Yi

2017-07-01

Methane dissociation is a prototypical system for the study of surface reaction dynamics. The dissociation and recombination rates of CH4 through the Ni(111) surface are calculated by using the quantum instanton method with an analytical potential energy surface. The Ni(111) lattice is treated rigidly, classically, and quantum mechanically so as to reveal the effect of lattice motion. The results demonstrate that it is the lateral displacements rather than the upward and downward movements of the surface nickel atoms that affect the rates a lot. Compared with the rigid lattice, the classical relaxation of the lattice can increase the rates by lowering the free energy barriers. For instance, at 300 K, the dissociation and recombination rates with the classical lattice exceed the ones with the rigid lattice by 6 and 10 orders of magnitude, respectively. Compared with the classical lattice, the quantum delocalization rather than the zero-point energy of the Ni atoms further enhances the rates by widening the reaction path. For instance, the dissociation rate with the quantum lattice is about 10 times larger than that with the classical lattice at 300 K. On the rigid lattice, due to the zero-point energy difference between CH4 and CD4, the kinetic isotope effects are larger than 1 for the dissociation process, while they are smaller than 1 for the recombination process. The increasing kinetic isotope effect with decreasing temperature demonstrates that the quantum tunneling effect is remarkable for the dissociation process.

Resurgence and dynamics of O(N) and Grassmannian sigma models

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

Here, we study the non-perturbative dynamics of the two dimensional O( N) and Grassmannian sigma models by using compactification with twisted boundary conditions on R× S 1, semi-classical techniques and resurgence. While the O(N) model has no instantons for N > 3, it has (non-instanton) saddles on R 2, which we call 2d-saddles. On R× S 1, the resurgent relation between perturbation theory and non-perturbative physics is encoded in new saddles, which are associated with the affine root system of the o( N) algebra. These events may be viewed as fractionalizations of the 2d-saddles. The first beta function coefficient, givenmore » by the dual Coxeter number, can then be intepreted as the sum of the multiplicities (dual Kac labels) of these fractionalized objects. Surprisingly, the new saddles in O( N) models in compactified space are in one-to-one correspondence with monopole-instanton saddles in SO( N) gauge theory on R 3×S 1. The Grassmannian sigma models Gr( N, M) have 2d instantons, which fractionalize into N kink-instantons. The small circle dynamics of both sigma models can be described as a dilute gas of the one-events and two-events, bions. One-events are the leading source of a variety of non-perturbative effects, and produce the strong scale of the 2d theory in the compactified theory. We show that in both types of sigma models the neutral bion emulates the role of IR-renormalons. We also study the topological theta angle dependence in both the O(3) model and Gr( N, M), and describe the multi-branched structure of the observables in terms of the theta-angle dependence of the saddle amplitudes, providing a microscopic argument for Haldane’s conjecture.« less

Resurgence and dynamics of O(N) and Grassmannian sigma models

DOE PAGES

Dunne, Gerald V.; Unsal, Mithat

2015-09-29

Here, we study the non-perturbative dynamics of the two dimensional O( N) and Grassmannian sigma models by using compactification with twisted boundary conditions on R× S 1, semi-classical techniques and resurgence. While the O(N) model has no instantons for N > 3, it has (non-instanton) saddles on R 2, which we call 2d-saddles. On R× S 1, the resurgent relation between perturbation theory and non-perturbative physics is encoded in new saddles, which are associated with the affine root system of the o( N) algebra. These events may be viewed as fractionalizations of the 2d-saddles. The first beta function coefficient, givenmore » by the dual Coxeter number, can then be intepreted as the sum of the multiplicities (dual Kac labels) of these fractionalized objects. Surprisingly, the new saddles in O( N) models in compactified space are in one-to-one correspondence with monopole-instanton saddles in SO( N) gauge theory on R 3×S 1. The Grassmannian sigma models Gr( N, M) have 2d instantons, which fractionalize into N kink-instantons. The small circle dynamics of both sigma models can be described as a dilute gas of the one-events and two-events, bions. One-events are the leading source of a variety of non-perturbative effects, and produce the strong scale of the 2d theory in the compactified theory. We show that in both types of sigma models the neutral bion emulates the role of IR-renormalons. We also study the topological theta angle dependence in both the O(3) model and Gr( N, M), and describe the multi-branched structure of the observables in terms of the theta-angle dependence of the saddle amplitudes, providing a microscopic argument for Haldane’s conjecture.« less

Borel Summability of Perturbative Series in 4D N=2 and 5D N=1 Supersymmetric Theories.

PubMed

Honda, Masazumi

2016-05-27

We study weak coupling perturbative series in 4D N=2 and 5D N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories with Lagrangians. We prove that the perturbative series of these theories in the zero-instanton sector are Borel summable for various observables. Our result for the 4D N=2 case supports an expectation from a recent proposal on a semiclassical realization of infrared renormalons in QCD-like theories, where the semiclassical solution does not exist in N=2 theories and the perturbative series are unambiguous, namely, Borel summable. We also prove that the perturbative series in an arbitrary number of instanton sectors are Borel summable for a wide class of theories. It turns out that exact results can be obtained by summing over the Borel resummations with every instanton number.

Potential energy surface interpolation with neural networks for instanton rate calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cooper, April M.; Hallmen, Philipp P.; Kästner, Johannes

2018-03-01

Artificial neural networks are used to fit a potential energy surface (PES). We demonstrate the benefits of using not only energies but also their first and second derivatives as training data for the neural network. This ensures smooth and accurate Hessian surfaces, which are required for rate constant calculations using instanton theory. Our aim was a local, accurate fit rather than a global PES because instanton theory requires information on the potential only in the close vicinity of the main tunneling path. Elongations along vibrational normal modes at the transition state are used as coordinates for the neural network. The method is applied to the hydrogen abstraction reaction from methanol, calculated on a coupled-cluster level of theory. The reaction is essential in astrochemistry to explain the deuteration of methanol in the interstellar medium.

Hawking-Moss instanton in nonlinear massive gravity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Ying-li; Saito, Ryo; Sasaki, Misao, E-mail: yingli@yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp, E-mail: rsaito@yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp, E-mail: misao@yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp

2013-02-01

As a first step toward understanding a lanscape of vacua in a theory of non-linear massive gravity, we consider a landscape of a single scalar field and study tunneling between a pair of adjacent vacua. We study the Hawking-Moss (HM) instanton that sits at a local maximum of the potential, and evaluate the dependence of the tunneling rate on the parameters of the theory. It is found that provided with the same physical HM Hubble parameter H{sub HM}, depending on the values of parameters α{sub 3} and α{sub 4} in the action (2.2), the corresponding tunneling rate can be eithermore » enhanced or suppressed when compared to the one in the context of General Relativity (GR). Furthermore, we find the constraint on the ratio of the physical Hubble parameter to the fiducial one, which constrains the form of potential. This result is in sharp contrast to GR where there is no bound on the minimum value of the potential.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Scargill, James H. C.

Theories with more than one vacuum allow quantum transitions between them, which may proceed via bubble nucleation; theories with more than two vacua posses additional decay modes in which the wall of a bubble may further decay. The instantons which mediate such a process have O(3) symmetry (in four dimensions, rather than the usual O(4) symmetry of homogeneous vacuum decay), and have been called ‘barnacles’; previously they have been studied in flat space, in the thin wall limit, and this paper extends the analysis to include gravity. It is found that there are regions of parameter space in which, givenmore » an initial bubble, barnacles are the favoured subsequent decay process, and that the inclusion of gravity can enlarge this region. The relation to other heterogeneous vacuum decay scenarios, as well as some of the phenomenological implications of barnacles are briefly discussed.« less

Vector and Axial-Vector Current Correlators Within the Instanton Model of QCD Vacuum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorokhov, A. E.

2005-08-01

The pion electric polarizability, α {π ^ ± }E , the leading order hadronic contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment, aμ hvp(1) , and the ratio of the V - A and V + A correlators are found within the instanton model of QCD vacuum. The results are compared with phenomenological estimates of these quantities from the ALEPH and OPAL data on vector and axial-vector spectral densities.

Effects of dynamical paths on the energy gap and the corrections to the free energy in path integrals of mean-field quantum spin systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koh, Yang Wei

2018-03-01

In current studies of mean-field quantum spin systems, much attention is placed on the calculation of the ground-state energy and the excitation gap, especially the latter, which plays an important role in quantum annealing. In pure systems, the finite gap can be obtained by various existing methods such as the Holstein-Primakoff transform, while the tunneling splitting at first-order phase transitions has also been studied in detail using instantons in many previous works. In disordered systems, however, it remains challenging to compute the gap of large-size systems with specific realization of disorder. Hitherto, only quantum Monte Carlo techniques are practical for such studies. Recently, Knysh [Nature Comm. 7, 12370 (2016), 10.1038/ncomms12370] proposed a method where the exponentially large dimensionality of such systems is condensed onto a random potential of much lower dimension, enabling efficient study of such systems. Here we propose a slightly different approach, building upon the method of static approximation of the partition function widely used for analyzing mean-field models. Quantum effects giving rise to the excitation gap and nonextensive corrections to the free energy are accounted for by incorporating dynamical paths into the path integral. The time-dependence of the trace of the time-ordered exponential of the effective Hamiltonian is calculated by solving a differential equation perturbatively, yielding a finite-size series expansion of the path integral. Formulae for the first excited-state energy are proposed to aid in computing the gap. We illustrate our approach using the infinite-range ferromagnetic Ising model and the Hopfield model, both in the presence of a transverse field.

Semiclassical theory of the tunneling anomaly in partially spin-polarized compressible quantum Hall states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chowdhury, Debanjan; Skinner, Brian; Lee, Patrick A.

2018-05-01

Electron tunneling into a system with strong interactions is known to exhibit an anomaly, in which the tunneling conductance vanishes continuously at low energy due to many-body interactions. Recent measurements have probed this anomaly in a quantum Hall bilayer of the half-filled Landau level, and shown that the anomaly apparently gets stronger as the half-filled Landau level is increasingly spin polarized. Motivated by this result, we construct a semiclassical hydrodynamic theory of the tunneling anomaly in terms of the charge-spreading action associated with tunneling between two copies of the Halperin-Lee-Read state with partial spin polarization. This theory is complementary to our recent work (D. Chowdhury, B. Skinner, and P. A. Lee, arXiv:1709.06091) where the electron spectral function was computed directly using an instanton-based approach. Our results show that the experimental observation cannot be understood within conventional theories of the tunneling anomaly, in which the spreading of the injected charge is driven by the mean-field Coulomb energy. However, we identify a qualitatively new regime, in which the mean-field Coulomb energy is effectively quenched and the tunneling anomaly is dominated by the finite compressibility of the composite Fermion liquid.

On the no-boundary proposal for ekpyrotic and cyclic cosmologies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Battarra, Lorenzo; Lehners, Jean-Luc, E-mail: lorenzo.battarra@aei.mpg.de, E-mail: jlehners@aei.mpg.de

2014-12-01

The no-boundary proposal provides a compelling theory for the initial conditions of our universe. We study the implications of such initial conditions for ekpyrotic and cyclic cosmologies. These cosmologies allow for the existence of a new type of ''ekpyrotic instanton'', which describes the creation of a universe in the ekpyrotic contraction phase. Remarkably, we find that the ekpyrotic attractor can explain how the universe became classical. In a cyclic context, in addition to the ekpyrotic instantons there exist de Sitter-like instantons describing the emergence of the universe in the dark energy phase. Our results show that typically the ekpyrotic instantonsmore » yield a higher probability. In fact, in a potential energy landscape allowing both inflationary and cyclic cosmologies, the no-boundary proposal implies that the probability for ekpyrotic and cyclic initial conditions is vastly higher than that for inflationary ones.« less

D-brane instantons and the effective field theory of flux compactifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uranga, Angel M.

2009-01-01

We provide a description of the effects of fluxes on euclidean D-brane instantons purely in terms of the 4d effective action. The effect corresponds to the dressing of the effective non-perturbative 4d effective vertex with 4d flux superpotential interactions, generated when the moduli fields made massive by the flux are integrated out. The description in terms of effective field theory allows a unified description of non-perturbative effects in all flux compactifications of a given underlying fluxless model, globally in the moduli space of the latter. It also allows us to describe explicitly the effects on D-brane instantons of fluxes with no microscopic description, like non-geometric fluxes. At the more formal level, the description has interesting connections with the bulk-boundary map of open-closed two-dimensional topological string theory, and with the Script N = 1 special geometry.

Yang-Mills instantons in Kähler spaces with one holomorphic isometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chimento, Samuele; Ortín, Tomás; Ruipérez, Alejandro

2018-03-01

We consider self-dual Yang-Mills instantons in 4-dimensional Kähler spaces with one holomorphic isometry and show that they satisfy a generalization of the Bogomol'nyi equation for magnetic monopoles on certain 3-dimensional metrics. We then search for solutions of this equation in 3-dimensional metrics foliated by 2-dimensional spheres, hyperboloids or planes in the case in which the gauge group coincides with the isometry group of the metric (SO(3), SO (1 , 2) and ISO(2), respectively). Using a generalized hedgehog ansatz the Bogomol'nyi equations reduce to a simple differential equation in the radial variable which admits a universal solution and, in some cases, a particular one, from which one finally recovers instanton solutions in the original Kähler space. We work out completely a few explicit examples for some Kähler spaces of interest.

Exact partition functions for the Ω-deformed {N}={2}^{ast } SU(2) gauge theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beccaria, Matteo; Macorini, Guido

2016-07-01

We study the low energy effective action of the Ω-deformed {N}={2}^{ast } SU(2) gauge theory. It depends on the deformation parameters ɛ 1, ɛ 2, the scalar field expectation value a, and the hypermultiplet mass m. We explore the plane (m/ɛ_1,ɛ_2/ɛ_1) looking for special features in the multi-instanton contributions to the prepotential, motivated by what happens in the Nekrasov-Shatashvili limit ɛ 2 → 0. We propose a simple condition on the structure of poles of the k-instanton prepotential and show that it is admissible at a finite set of points in the above plane. At these special points, the prepotential has poles at fixed positions independent on the instanton number. Besides and remarkably, both the instanton partition function and the full prepotential, including the perturbative contribution, may be given in closed form as functions of the scalar expectation value a and the modular parameter q appearing in special combinations of Eisenstein series and Dedekind η function. As a byproduct, the modular anomaly equation can be tested at all orders at these points. We discuss these special features from the point of view of the AGT correspondence and provide explicit toroidal 1-blocks in non-trivial closed form. The full list of solutions with 1, 2, 3, and 4 poles is determined and described in details.

Barnacles and gravity

DOE PAGES

Scargill, James H. C.

2017-09-18

Theories with more than one vacuum allow quantum transitions between them, which may proceed via bubble nucleation; theories with more than two vacua posses additional decay modes in which the wall of a bubble may further decay. The instantons which mediate such a process have O(3) symmetry (in four dimensions, rather than the usual O(4) symmetry of homogeneous vacuum decay), and have been called ‘barnacles’; previously they have been studied in flat space, in the thin wall limit, and this paper extends the analysis to include gravity. It is found that there are regions of parameter space in which, givenmore » an initial bubble, barnacles are the favoured subsequent decay process, and that the inclusion of gravity can enlarge this region. The relation to other heterogeneous vacuum decay scenarios, as well as some of the phenomenological implications of barnacles are briefly discussed.« less

Exact semiclassical expansions for one-dimensional quantum oscillators

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Delabaere, E.; Dillinger, H.; Pham, F.

1997-12-01

A set of rules is given for dealing with WKB expansions in the one-dimensional analytic case, whereby such expansions are not considered as approximations but as exact encodings of wave functions, thus allowing for analytic continuation with respect to whichever parameters the potential function depends on, with an exact control of small exponential effects. These rules, which include also the case when there are double turning points, are illustrated on various examples, and applied to the study of bound state or resonance spectra. In the case of simple oscillators, it is thus shown that the Rayleigh{endash}Schr{umlt o}dinger series is Borelmore » resummable, yielding the exact energy levels. In the case of the symmetrical anharmonic oscillator, one gets a simple and rigorous justification of the Zinn-Justin quantization condition, and of its solution in terms of {open_quotes}multi-instanton expansions.{close_quotes} {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Identification of structural motifs as tunneling two-level systems in amorphous alumina at low temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paz, Alejandro Pérez; Lebedeva, Irina V.; Tokatly, Ilya V.; Rubio, Angel

2014-12-01

One of the most accepted models that describe the anomalous thermal behavior of amorphous materials at temperatures below 1 K relies on the quantum mechanical tunneling of atoms between two nearly equivalent potential energy wells forming a two-level system (TLS). Indirect evidence for TLSs is widely available. However, the atomistic structure of these TLSs remains an unsolved topic in the physics of amorphous materials. Here, using classical molecular dynamics, we found several hitherto unknown bistable structural motifs that may be key to understanding the anomalous thermal properties of amorphous alumina at low temperatures. We show through free energy profiles that the complex potential energy surface can be reduced to canonical TLSs. The tunnel splitting predicted from instanton theory, the number density, dipole moment, and coupling to external strain of the discovered motifs are consistent with experiments.

Ubiquity of non-geometry in heterotic compactifications

DOE PAGES

García-Etxebarria, Iñaki; Lüst, Dieter; Massai, Stefano; ...

2017-03-08

Here, we study the effect of quantum corrections on heterotic compactifications on elliptic fibrations away from the stable degeneration limit, elaborating on a recent observation by Malmendier and Morrison. We show that already for the simplest nontrivial elliptic fibration the effect is quite dramatic: the I 1 degeneration with trivial gauge background dynamically splits into two T-fects with monodromy around each T-fect being (conjugate to) T-duality along one of the legs of the T 2. This implies that almost every elliptic heterotic compactification becomes a non-geometric T-fold away from the stable degeneration limit. We also point out a subtlety duemore » to this non-geometric splitting at finite fiber size. It arises when determining, via heterotic/F-theory duality, the SCFTs associated to a small number of pointlike instantons probing heterotic ADE singularities. Along the way we resolve various puzzles in the literature.« less

Pair creation of higher dimensional black holes on a de Sitter background

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dias, Oscar J.C.; Lemos, Jose P.S.; CENTRA, Departamento de Fisica, F.C.T., Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro

We study in detail the quantum process in which a pair of black holes is created in a higher D-dimensional de Sitter (dS) background. The energy to materialize and accelerate the pair comes from the positive cosmological constant. The instantons that describe the process are obtained from the Tangherlini black hole solutions. Our pair creation rates reduce to the pair creation rate for Reissner-Nordstroem-dS solutions when D=4. Pair creation of black holes in the dS background becomes less suppressed when the dimension of the spacetime increases. The dS space is the only background in which we can discuss analytically themore » pair creation process of higher dimensional black holes, since the C-metric and the Ernst solutions, which describe, respectively, a pair accelerated by a string and by an electromagnetic field, are not known yet in a higher dimensional spacetime.« less

Instanton approach to large N Harish-Chandra-Itzykson-Zuber integrals.

PubMed

Bun, J; Bouchaud, J P; Majumdar, S N; Potters, M

2014-08-15

We reconsider the large N asymptotics of Harish-Chandra-Itzykson-Zuber integrals. We provide, using Dyson's Brownian motion and the method of instantons, an alternative, transparent derivation of the Matytsin formalism for the unitary case. Our method is easily generalized to the orthogonal and symplectic ensembles. We obtain an explicit solution of Matytsin's equations in the case of Wigner matrices, as well as a general expansion method in the dilute limit, when the spectrum of eigenvalues spreads over very wide regions.

Instanton tunneling for de Sitter space with real projective spatial sections

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ong, Yen Chin; Yeom, Dong-han, E-mail: ongyenchin@sjtu.edu.cn, E-mail: innocent.yeom@gmail.com

The physics of tunneling from one spacetime to another is often understood in terms of instantons. For some instantons, it was recently shown in the literature that there are two complementary ''interpretations'' for their analytic continuations. Dubbed ''something-to-something'' and ''nothing-to-something'' interpretations, respectively, the former involves situation in which the initial and final hypersurfaces are connected by a Euclidean manifold, whereas the initial and final hypersurfaces in the latter case are not connected in such a way. We consider a de Sitter space with real projective space RP{sup 3} spatial sections, as was originally understood by de Sitter himself. This originalmore » version of de Sitter space has several advantages over the usual de Sitter space with S{sup 3} spatial sections. In particular, the interpretation of the de Sitter entropy as entanglement entropy is much more natural. We discuss the subtleties involved in the tunneling of such a de Sitter space.« less

Multiple D3-Instantons and Mock Modular Forms II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish; Manschot, Jan; Pioline, Boris

2018-03-01

We analyze the modular properties of D3-brane instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type IIB string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold. In Part I, we found a necessary condition for the existence of an isometric action of S-duality on this moduli space: the generating function of DT invariants in the large volume attractor chamber must be a vector-valued mock modular form with specified modular properties. In this work, we prove that this condition is also sufficient at two-instanton order. This is achieved by producing a holomorphic action of {SL(2,Z)} on the twistor space which preserves the holomorphic contact structure. The key step is to cancel the anomalous modular variation of the Darboux coordinates by a local holomorphic contact transformation, which is generated by a suitable indefinite theta series. For this purpose we introduce a new family of theta series of signature (2, n - 2), find their modular completion, and conjecture sufficient conditions for their convergence, which may be of independent mathematical interest.

S-duality in twistor space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, Sergei; Pioline, Boris

2012-08-01

In type IIB string compactifications on a Calabi-Yau threefold, the hypermultiplet moduli space {{M}_H} must carry an isometric action of the modular group SL(2 , {Z} ), inherited from the S-duality symmetry of type IIB string theory in ten dimensions. We investigate how this modular symmetry is realized at the level of the twistor space of {{M}_H} , and construct a general class of SL(2 , {Z} )-invariant quaternion-Kähler metrics with two commuting isometries, parametrized by a suitably covariant family of holomorphic transition functions. This family should include {{M}_H} corrected by D3-D1-D(-1)-instantons (with five-brane corrections ignored) and, after taking a suitable rigid limit, the Coulomb branch of five-dimensional {N} = {2} gauge theories compactified on a torus, including monopole string instantons. These results allow us to considerably simplify the derivation of the mirror map between type IIA and IIB fields in the sector where only D1-D(-1)-instantons are retained.

Walls, anomalies, and deconfinement in quantum antiferromagnets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komargodski, Zohar; Sulejmanpasic, Tin; Ünsal, Mithat

2018-02-01

We consider the Abelian-Higgs model in 2 +1 dimensions with instanton-monopole defects. This model is closely related to the phases of quantum antiferromagnets. In the presence of Z2 preserving monopole operators, there are two confining ground states in the monopole phase, corresponding to the valence bond solid (VBS) phase of quantum magnets. We show that the domain wall carries a 't Hooft anomaly in this case. The anomaly can be saturated by, e.g., charge-conjugation breaking on the wall or by the domain wall theory becoming gapless (a gapless model that saturates the anomaly is S U (2) 1 WZW). Either way the fundamental scalar particles (i.e., spinons) which are confined in the bulk are deconfined on the domain wall. This Z2 phase can be realized either with spin-1/2 on a rectangular lattice or spin-1 on a square lattice. In both cases the domain wall contains spin-1/2 particles (which are absent in the bulk). We discuss the possible relation to recent lattice simulations of domain walls in VBS. We further generalize the discussion to Abrikosov-Nielsen-Olsen (ANO) vortices in a dual superconductor of the Abelian-Higgs model in 3 +1 dimensions and to the easy-plane limit of antiferromagnets. In the latter case the wall can undergo a variant of the BKT transition (consistent with the anomalies) while the bulk is still gapped. The same is true for the easy-axis limit of antiferromagnets. We also touch upon some analogies to Yang-Mills theory.

BOOK REVIEW: Classical Solutions in Quantum Field Theory Classical Solutions in Quantum Field Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mann, Robert

2013-02-01

Quantum field theory has evolved from its early beginnings as a tool for understanding the interaction of light with matter into a rather formidable technical paradigm, one that has successfully provided the mathematical underpinnings of all non-gravitational interactions. Over the eight decades since it was first contemplated the methods have become increasingly more streamlined and sophisticated, yielding new insights into our understanding of the subatomic world and our abilities to make clear and precise predictions. Some of the more elegant methods have to do with non-perturbative and semiclassical approaches to the subject. The chief players here are solitons, instantons, and anomalies. Over the past three decades there has been a steady rise in our understanding of these objects and of our ability to calculate their effects and implications for the rest of quantum field theory. This book is a welcome contribution to this subject. In 12 chapters it provides a clear synthesis of the key developments in these subjects at a level accessible to graduate students that have had an introductory course to quantum field theory. In the author's own words it provides both 'a survey and an overview of this field'. The first half of the book concentrates on solitons--kinks, vortices, and magnetic monopoles--and their implications for the subject. The reader is led first through the simplest models in one spatial dimension, into more sophisticated cases that required more advanced topological methods. The author does quite a nice job of introducing the various concepts as required, and beginning students should be able to get a good grasp of the subject directly from the text without having to first go through the primary literature. The middle part of the book deals with the implications of these solitons for both cosmology and for duality. While the cosmological discussion is quite nice, the discussion on BPS solitons, supersymmetry and duality is rather condensed. It is a tall order for a single chapter, relying rather heavily on additional background knowledge (for example supersymmetry) that students will not have unless they have already studied these topics in some depth. At this point students will need to be content with either appreciating the results as presented or else going to the original source material. The last four chapters of the book deal with anomalies and instantons, and again the reader is led from the simple material to the complex in a straightforward manner. Students should be able to follow the discussion both quantitatively and qualitatively, and become well-versed in understanding the 'big picture' provided they work through the material. The discussion on vacuum decay near the end of the book is quite timely given recent developments in eternal inflations, cosmic bubbles, and the like. The book contains a nice appendix that introduces students to the elements of Lie groups and Lie algebras that are required to understand a number of the ideas presented in various places in the book. There is also a short appendix on index theorems that should at least given students a basic sense of how these methods are employed in the subject at hand. This book would make a useful textbook for a mid-level graduate course. Though a bit terse in places, all of the main elements are there, in terms of both concept and methodology. It would make a fine addition to the library of any theorist in high-energy physics, gravitation, or cosmology.

Instantons and Massless Fermions in Two Dimensions

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Callan, C. G. Jr.; Dashen, R.; Gross, D. J.

1977-05-01

The role of instantons in the breakdown of chiral U(N) symmetry is studied in a two dimensional model. Chiral U(1) is always destroyed by the axial vector anomaly. For N = 2 chiral SU(N) is also spontaneously broken yielding massive fermions and three (decoupled) Goldstone bosons. For N greater than or equal to 3 the fermions remain massless. Realistic four dimensional theories are believed to behave in a similar way but the critical N above which the fermions cease to be massive is not known in four dimensions.

Explicit Computations of Instantons and Large Deviations in Beta-Plane Turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Laurie, J.; Bouchet, F.; Zaboronski, O.

2012-12-01

We use a path integral formalism and instanton theory in order to make explicit analytical predictions about large deviations and rare events in beta-plane turbulence. The path integral formalism is a concise way to get large deviation results in dynamical systems forced by random noise. In the most simple cases, it leads to the same results as the Freidlin-Wentzell theory, but it has a wider range of applicability. This approach is however usually extremely limited, due to the complexity of the theoretical problems. As a consequence it provides explicit results in a fairly limited number of models, often extremely simple ones with only a few degrees of freedom. Few exception exist outside the realm of equilibrium statistical physics. We will show that the barotropic model of beta-plane turbulence is one of these non-equilibrium exceptions. We describe sets of explicit solutions to the instanton equation, and precise derivations of the action functional (or large deviation rate function). The reason why such exact computations are possible is related to the existence of hidden symmetries and conservation laws for the instanton dynamics. We outline several applications of this apporach. For instance, we compute explicitly the very low probability to observe flows with an energy much larger or smaller than the typical one. Moreover, we consider regimes for which the system has multiple attractors (corresponding to different numbers of alternating jets), and discuss the computation of transition probabilities between two such attractors. These extremely rare events are of the utmost importance as the dynamics undergo qualitative macroscopic changes during such transitions.

Note on gauge and gravitational anomalies of discrete Z N symmetries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byakti, Pritibhajan; Ghosh, Diptimoy; Sharma, Tarun

2018-01-01

In this note, we discuss the consistency conditions which a discrete Z N symmetry should satisfy in order that it is not violated by gauge and gravitational instantons. As examples, we enlist all the Z N ℛ-symmetries as well as non-ℛ Z N symmetries (N=2,3,4) in the minimally supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) that are free from gauge and gravitational anomalies. We show that there exists non-anomalous discrete symmetries that forbid Baryon number violation up to dimension 6 level (in superspace). We also observe that there exists no non-anomalous Z 3 ℛ-symmetry in the MSSM. Furthermore, we point out that in a theory with one Majorana spin 3/2 gravitino, a large class of Z 4 ℛ-symmetries are violated in the presence of Eguchi-Hanson (EH) gravitational instanton. This is also in general true for higher Z N ℛ-symmetries. We also notice that in 4 dimensional N=1 supergravity, the global U(1) ℛ-symmetry is always violated by the EH instanton irrespective of the matter content of the theory.

Gravitational instantons, self-duality, and geometric flows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bourliot, F.; Estes, J.; Petropoulos, P. M.

2010-05-15

We discuss four-dimensional 'spatially homogeneous' gravitational instantons. These are self-dual solutions of Euclidean vacuum Einstein equations. They are endowed with a product structure RxM{sub 3} leading to a foliation into three-dimensional subspaces evolving in Euclidean time. For a large class of homogeneous subspaces, the dynamics coincides with a geometric flow on the three-dimensional slice, driven by the Ricci tensor plus an so(3) gauge connection. The flowing metric is related to the vielbein of the subspace, while the gauge field is inherited from the anti-self-dual component of the four-dimensional Levi-Civita connection.

Numeric Solutions of Dirac-Gursey Spinor Field Equation Under External Gaussian White Noise

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aydogmus, Fatma

2016-06-01

In this paper, we consider the Dirac-Gursey spinor field equation that has particle-like solutions derived classical field equations so-called instantons, formed by using Heisenberg ansatz, under the effect of an additional Gaussian white noise term. Our purpose is to understand how the behavior of spinor-type excited instantons in four dimensions can be affected by noise. Thus, we simulate the phase portraits and Poincaré sections of the obtained system numerically both with and without noise. Recurrence plots are also given for more detailed information regarding the system.

Baryon number violation and nonperturbative weak processes at Superconducting Super Collider energies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shuryak, E. V.; Verbaarschot, J. J. M.

1992-04-01

Baryon number violation and multiple production of W and Higgs bosons are described semiclassically in terms of the instanton-anti-instanton valley. We find (i) two saddle points, one describing reflection from a barrier and the other describing tunneling through it. We find (ii) a critical energy Ec~35 TeV where the cross section is suppressed as exp(-const/g2w), but the formulas are no longer valid; (iii) however, depending on the (still uncertain) Higgs bosson action, the cross section at this point may be large enough to be observable.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rossi, Mariana; Manolopoulos, David E.; Ceriotti, Michele

Two of the most successful methods that are presently available for simulating the quantum dynamics of condensed phase systems are centroid molecular dynamics (CMD) and ring polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD). Despite their conceptual differences, practical implementations of these methods differ in just two respects: the choice of the Parrinello-Rahman mass matrix and whether or not a thermostat is applied to the internal modes of the ring polymer during the dynamics. Here, we explore a method which is halfway between the two approximations: we keep the path integral bead masses equal to the physical particle masses but attach a Langevin thermostatmore » to the internal modes of the ring polymer during the dynamics. We justify this by showing analytically that the inclusion of an internal mode thermostat does not affect any of the established features of RPMD: thermostatted RPMD is equally valid with respect to everything that has actually been proven about the method as RPMD itself. In particular, because of the choice of bead masses, the resulting method is still optimum in the short-time limit, and the transition state approximation to its reaction rate theory remains closely related to the semiclassical instanton approximation in the deep quantum tunneling regime. In effect, there is a continuous family of methods with these properties, parameterised by the strength of the Langevin friction. Here, we explore numerically how the approximation to quantum dynamics depends on this friction, with a particular emphasis on vibrational spectroscopy. We find that a broad range of frictions approaching optimal damping give similar results, and that these results are immune to both the resonance problem of RPMD and the curvature problem of CMD.« less

Quantum Rotational Effects in Nanomagnetic Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O'Keeffe, Michael F.

Quantum tunneling of the magnetic moment in a nanomagnet must conserve the total angular momentum. For a nanomagnet embedded in a rigid body, reversal of the magnetic moment will cause the body to rotate as a whole. When embedded in an elastic environment, tunneling of the magnetic moment will cause local elastic twists of the crystal structure. In this thesis, I will present a theoretical study of the interplay between magnetization and rotations in a variety of nanomagnetic systems which have some degree of rotational freedom. We investigate the effect of rotational freedom on the tunnel splitting of a nanomagnet which is free to rotate about its easy axis. Calculating the exact instanton of the coupled equations of motion shows that mechanical freedom of the particle renormalizes the easy axis anisotropy, increasing the tunnel splitting. To understand magnetization dynamics in free particles, we study a quantum mechanical model of a tunneling spin embedded in a rigid rotor. The exact energy levels for a symmetric rotor exhibit first and second order quantum phase transitions between states with different values the magnetic moment. A quantum phase diagram is obtained in which the magnetic moment depends strongly on the moments of inertia. An intrinsic contribution to decoherence of current oscillations of a flux qubit must come from the angular momentum it transfers to the surrounding body. Within exactly solvable models of a qubit embedded in a rigid body and an elastic medium, we show that slow decoherence is permitted if the solid is macroscopically large. The spin-boson model is one of the simplest representations of a two-level system interacting with a quantum harmonic oscillator, yet has eluded a closed-form solution. I investigate some possible approaches to understanding its spectrum. The Landau-Zener dynamics of a tunneling spin coupled to a torsional resonator show that for certain parameter ranges the system exhibits multiple Landau-Zener transitions. These transitions coincide in time with changes in the oscillator dynamics. A large number of spins on a single oscillator coupled only through the in-phase oscillations behaves as a single large spin, greatly enhancing the spin-phonon coupling.

Quantum cosmology of a conformal multiverse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robles-Pérez, Salvador J.

2017-09-01

This paper studies the cosmology of a homogeneous and isotropic spacetime endorsed with a conformally coupled massless scalar field. We find six different solutions of the Friedmann equation that represent six different types of universes, and all of them are periodically distributed along the complex time axis. From a classical point of view, they are then isolated, separated by Euclidean regions that represent quantum mechanical barriers. Quantum mechanically, however, there is a nonzero probability for the state of the universes to tunnel out through a Euclidean instanton and suffer a sudden transition to another state of the spacetime. We compute the probability of transition for this and other nonlocal processes like the creation of universes in entangled pairs and, generally speaking, in multipartite entangled states. We obtain the quantum state of a single universe within the formalism of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation and give the semiclassical state of the universes that describes the quantum mechanics of a scalar field propagating in a de Sitter background spacetime. We show that the superposition principle of the quantum mechanics of matter fields alone is an emergent feature of the semiclassical description of the universe that is not valid, for instance, in the spacetime foam. We use the third quantization formalism to describe the creation of an entangled pair of universes with opposite signs of the momentum conjugated to the scale factor. Each universe of the entangled pair represents an expanding spacetime in terms of the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) time experienced by internal observers in their particle physics experiments. We compute the effective value of the Friedmann equation of the background spacetime of the two entangled universes, and thus, the effect that the entanglement would have in their expansion rates. We analyze as well the effects of the interuniversal entanglement in the properties of the scalar fields that propagate in each spacetime of the entangled pair. We find that the largest modes of the scalar field are unaware of the entanglement between the universes, but the effects can be significant for the lowest modes, allowing us to compute, in principle, detailed observational imprints of the multiverse in the properties of a single universe like ours.

Quarks, Symmetries and Strings - a Symposium in Honor of Bunji Sakita's 60th Birthday

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaku, M.; Jevicki, A.; Kikkawa, K.

1991-04-01

The Table of Contents for the full book PDF is as follows: * Preface * Evening Banquet Speech * I. Quarks and Phenomenology * From the SU(6) Model to Uniqueness in the Standard Model * A Model for Higgs Mechanism in the Standard Model * Quark Mass Generation in QCD * Neutrino Masses in the Standard Model * Solar Neutrino Puzzle, Horizontal Symmetry of Electroweak Interactions and Fermion Mass Hierarchies * State of Chiral Symmetry Breaking at High Temperatures * Approximate |ΔI| = 1/2 Rule from a Perspective of Light-Cone Frame Physics * Positronium (and Some Other Systems) in a Strong Magnetic Field * Bosonic Technicolor and the Flavor Problem * II. Strings * Supersymmetry in String Theory * Collective Field Theory and Schwinger-Dyson Equations in Matrix Models * Non-Perturbative String Theory * The Structure of Non-Perturbative Quantum Gravity in One and Two Dimensions * Noncritical Virasoro Algebra of d < 1 Matrix Model and Quantized String Field * Chaos in Matrix Models ? * On the Non-Commutative Symmetry of Quantum Gravity in Two Dimensions * Matrix Model Formulation of String Field Theory in One Dimension * Geometry of the N = 2 String Theory * Modular Invariance form Gauge Invariance in the Non-Polynomial String Field Theory * Stringy Symmetry and Off-Shell Ward Identities * q-Virasoro Algebra and q-Strings * Self-Tuning Fields and Resonant Correlations in 2d-Gravity * III. Field Theory Methods * Linear Momentum and Angular Momentum in Quaternionic Quantum Mechanics * Some Comments on Real Clifford Algebras * On the Quantum Group p-adics Connection * Gravitational Instantons Revisited * A Generalized BBGKY Hierarchy from the Classical Path-Integral * A Quantum Generated Symmetry: Group-Level Duality in Conformal and Topological Field Theory * Gauge Symmetries in Extended Objects * Hidden BRST Symmetry and Collective Coordinates * Towards Stochastically Quantizing Topological Actions * IV. Statistical Methods * A Brief Summary of the s-Channel Theory of Superconductivity * Neural Networks and Models for the Brain * Relativistic One-Body Equations for Planar Particles with Arbitrary Spin * Chiral Property of Quarks and Hadron Spectrum in Lattice QCD * Scalar Lattice QCD * Semi-Superconductivity of a Charged Anyon Gas * Two-Fermion Theory of Strongly Correlated Electrons and Charge-Spin Separation * Statistical Mechanics and Error-Correcting Codes * Quantum Statistics

Tunnelling with a negative cosmological constant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibbons, G. W.

1996-02-01

The point of this paper is to see what light new results in hyperbolic geometry may throw on gravitational entropy and whether gravitational entropy is relevant for the quantum origin of the universe. We introduce some new gravitational instantons which mediate the birth from nothing of closed universes containing wormholes and suggest that they may contribute to the density matrix of the universe. We also discuss the connection between their gravitational action and the topological and volumetric entropies introduced in hyperbolic geometry. These coincide for hyperbolic 4-manifolds, and increase with increasing topological complexity of the 4-manifold. We raise the question of whether the action also increases with the topological complexity of the initial 3-geometry, measured either by its 3-volume or its Matveev complexity. We point out, in distinction to the non-supergravity case, that universes with domains of negative cosmological constant separated by supergravity domain walls cannot be born from nothing. Finally we point out that our wormholes provide examples of the type of Perpetual Motion machines envisaged by Frolov and Novikov.

Nekrasov and Argyres-Douglas theories in spherical Hecke algebra representation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rim, Chaiho; Zhang, Hong

2017-06-01

AGT conjecture connects Nekrasov instanton partition function of 4D quiver gauge theory with 2D Liouville conformal blocks. We re-investigate this connection using the central extension of spherical Hecke algebra in q-coordinate representation, q being the instanton expansion parameter. Based on AFLT basis together with intertwiners we construct gauge conformal state and demonstrate its equivalence to the Liouville conformal state, with careful attention to the proper scaling behavior of the state. Using the colliding limit of regular states, we obtain the formal expression of irregular conformal states corresponding to Argyres-Douglas theory, which involves summation of functions over Young diagrams.

A low-dimensional analogue of holographic baryons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolognesi, Stefano; Sutcliffe, Paul

2014-04-01

Baryons in holographic QCD correspond to topological solitons in the bulk. The most prominent example is the Sakai-Sugimoto model, where the bulk soliton in the five-dimensional spacetime of AdS-type can be approximated by the flat space self-dual Yang-Mills instanton with a small size. Recently, the validity of this approximation has been verified by comparison with the numerical field theory solution. However, multi-solitons and solitons with finite density are currently beyond numerical field theory computations. Various approximations have been applied to investigate these important issues and have led to proposals for finite density configurations that include dyonic salt and baryonic popcorn. Here we introduce and investigate a low-dimensional analogue of the Sakai-Sugimoto model, in which the bulk soliton can be approximated by a flat space sigma model instanton. The bulk theory is a baby Skyrme model in a three-dimensional spacetime with negative curvature. The advantage of the lower-dimensional theory is that numerical simulations of multi-solitons and finite density solutions can be performed and compared with flat space instanton approximations. In particular, analogues of dyonic salt and baryonic popcorn configurations are found and analysed.

Langevin Dynamics, Large Deviations and Instantons for the Quasi-Geostrophic Model and Two-Dimensional Euler Equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchet, Freddy; Laurie, Jason; Zaboronski, Oleg

2014-09-01

We investigate a class of simple models for Langevin dynamics of turbulent flows, including the one-layer quasi-geostrophic equation and the two-dimensional Euler equations. Starting from a path integral representation of the transition probability, we compute the most probable fluctuation paths from one attractor to any state within its basin of attraction. We prove that such fluctuation paths are the time reversed trajectories of the relaxation paths for a corresponding dual dynamics, which are also within the framework of quasi-geostrophic Langevin dynamics. Cases with or without detailed balance are studied. We discuss a specific example for which the stationary measure displays either a second order (continuous) or a first order (discontinuous) phase transition and a tricritical point. In situations where a first order phase transition is observed, the dynamics are bistable. Then, the transition paths between two coexisting attractors are instantons (fluctuation paths from an attractor to a saddle), which are related to the relaxation paths of the corresponding dual dynamics. For this example, we show how one can analytically determine the instantons and compute the transition probabilities for rare transitions between two attractors.

Perspective: Memcomputing: Leveraging memory and physics to compute efficiently

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Di Ventra, Massimiliano; Traversa, Fabio L.

2018-05-01

It is well known that physical phenomena may be of great help in computing some difficult problems efficiently. A typical example is prime factorization that may be solved in polynomial time by exploiting quantum entanglement on a quantum computer. There are, however, other types of (non-quantum) physical properties that one may leverage to compute efficiently a wide range of hard problems. In this perspective, we discuss how to employ one such property, memory (time non-locality), in a novel physics-based approach to computation: Memcomputing. In particular, we focus on digital memcomputing machines (DMMs) that are scalable. DMMs can be realized with non-linear dynamical systems with memory. The latter property allows the realization of a new type of Boolean logic, one that is self-organizing. Self-organizing logic gates are "terminal-agnostic," namely, they do not distinguish between the input and output terminals. When appropriately assembled to represent a given combinatorial/optimization problem, the corresponding self-organizing circuit converges to the equilibrium points that express the solutions of the problem at hand. In doing so, DMMs take advantage of the long-range order that develops during the transient dynamics. This collective dynamical behavior, reminiscent of a phase transition, or even the "edge of chaos," is mediated by families of classical trajectories (instantons) that connect critical points of increasing stability in the system's phase space. The topological character of the solution search renders DMMs robust against noise and structural disorder. Since DMMs are non-quantum systems described by ordinary differential equations, not only can they be built in hardware with the available technology, they can also be simulated efficiently on modern classical computers. As an example, we will show the polynomial-time solution of the subset-sum problem for the worst cases, and point to other types of hard problems where simulations of DMMs' equations of motion on classical computers have already demonstrated substantial advantages over traditional approaches. We conclude this article by outlining further directions of study.

Vector and Axial-Vector Correlators in AN Instanton-Like Quark Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dorokhov, Alexander E.

The behavior of the vector Adler function at spacelike momenta is studied in the framework of a covariant chiral quark model with instanton-like quark-quark interaction. This function describes the transition between the high energy asymptotically free region of almost massless current quarks to the low energy hadronized regime with massive constituent quarks. The model reproduces the Adler function and V-A correlator extracted from the ALEPH and OPAL data on hadronic τ lepton decays, transformed into the Euclidean domain via dispersion relations. The leading order contribution from hadronic part of the photon vacuum polarization to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, aμ hvp(1), is estimated.

Super Yang-Mills theory with impurity walls and instanton moduli spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherkis, Sergey A.; O'Hara, Clare; Sämann, Christian

2011-06-01

We explore maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with walls of impurities respecting half of the supersymmetries. The walls carry fundamental or bifundamental matter multiplets. We employ three-dimensional N=2 superspace language to identify the Higgs branch of this theory. We find that the vacuum conditions determining the Higgs branch are exactly the bow equations yielding Yang-Mills instantons on a multi-Taub-NUT space. Under electric-magnetic duality, the super Yang-Mills theory describing the bulk is mapped to itself, while the fundamental- and bifundamental-carrying impurity walls are interchanged. We perform a one-loop computation on the Coulomb branch of the dual theory to find the asymptotic metric on the original Higgs branch.

Gravitational instantons as models for charged particle systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franchetti, Guido; Manton, Nicholas S.

2013-03-01

In this paper we propose ALF gravitational instantons of types A k and D k as models for charged particle systems. We calculate the charges of the two families. These are -( k + 1) for A k , which is proposed as a model for k + 1 electrons, and 2 - k for D k , which is proposed as a model for either a particle of charge +2 and k electrons or a proton and k - 1 electrons. Making use of preferred topological and metrical structures of the manifolds, namely metrically preferred representatives of middle dimension homology classes, we construct two different energy functionals which reproduce the Coulomb interaction energy for a system of charged particles.

Heterotic supergravity with internal almost-Kähler spaces; instantons for SO(32), or E 8 × E 8, gauge groups; and deformed black holes with soliton, quasiperiodic and/or pattern-forming structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bubuianu, Laurenţiu; Irwin, Klee; Vacaru, Sergiu I.

2017-04-01

Heterotic supergravity with (1  +  3)-dimensional domain wall configurations and (warped) internal, six dimensional, almost-Kähler manifolds {{}6}\\text{X} are studied. Considering ten dimensional spacetimes with nonholonomic distributions and conventional double fibrations, 2  +  2  +  ...  =  2  +  2  +  3  +  3, and associated SU(3) structures on internal space, we generalize for real, internal, almost symplectic gravitational structures the constructions with gravitational and gauge instantons of tanh-kink type [1, 2]. They include the first {α\\prime} corrections to the heterotic supergravity action, parameterized in a form to imply nonholonomic deformations of the Yang-Mills sector and corresponding Bianchi identities. We show how it is possible to construct a variety of solutions depending on the type of nonholonomic distributions and deformations of ‘prime’ instanton configurations characterized by two real supercharges. This corresponds to N=1/2 supersymmetric, nonholonomic manifolds from the four dimensional point of view. Our method provides a unified description of embedding nonholonomically deformed tanh-kink-type instantons into half-BPS solutions of heterotic supergravity. This allows us to elaborate new geometric methods of constructing exact solutions of motion equations, with first order {α\\prime} corrections to the heterotic supergravity. Such a formalism is applied for general and/or warped almost-Kähler configurations, which allows us to generate nontrivial (1  +  3)-d domain walls and black hole deformations determined by quasiperiodic internal space structures. This formalism is utilized in our associated publication [3] in order to construct and study generic off-diagonal nonholonomic deformations of the Kerr metric, encoding contributions from heterotic supergravity.

Chaos in a 4D dissipative nonlinear fermionic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aydogmus, Fatma

2015-12-01

Gursey Model is the only possible 4D conformally invariant pure fermionic model with a nonlinear self-coupled spinor term. It has been assumed to be similar to the Heisenberg's nonlinear generalization of Dirac's equation, as a possible basis for a unitary description of elementary particles. Gursey Model admits particle-like solutions for the derived classical field equations and these solutions are instantonic in character. In this paper, the dynamical nature of damped and forced Gursey Nonlinear Differential Equations System (GNDES) are studied in order to get more information on spinor type instantons. Bifurcation and chaos in the system are observed by constructing the bifurcation diagrams and Poincaré sections. Lyapunov exponent and power spectrum graphs of GNDES are also constructed to characterize the chaotic behavior.

Gapless bosonic excitation without symmetry breaking: An algebraic spin liquid with soft gravitons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Cenke

2006-12-01

A quantum ground state of matter is realized in a bosonic model on a three-dimensional fcc lattice with emergent low energy excitations. The phase obtained is a stable gapless boson liquid phase, with algebraic boson density correlations. The stability of this phase is protected against the instanton effect and superfluidity by self-duality and large gauge symmetries on both sides of the duality. The gapless collective excitations of this phase closely resemble the graviton, although they have a soft ω˜k2 dispersion relation. There are three branches of gapless excitations in this phase, one of which is gapless scalar trace mode, the other two have the same polarization and gauge symmetries as the gravitons. The dynamics of this phase is described by a set of Maxwell’s equations. The defects carrying gauge charges can drive the system into the superfluid order when the defects are condensed; also the topological defects are coupled to the dual gauge field in the same manner as the charge defects couple to the original gauge field, after the condensation of the topological defects, the system is driven into the Mott insulator phase. In the two-dimensional case, the gapless soft graviton as well as the algebraic liquid phase are destroyed by the vertex operators in the dual theory, and the stripe order is most likely to take place close to the two-dimensional quantum critical point at which the vertex operators are tuned to zero.

R-charge conservation and more in factorizable and non-factorizable orbifolds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bizet, Nana G. Cabo; Kobayashi, Tatsuo; Peña, Damián K. Mayorga; Parameswaran, Susha L.; Schmitz, Matthias; Zavala, Ivonne

2013-05-01

We consider the string theory origin of R-charge conservation laws in heterotic orbifold compactifications, deriving the corresponding string coupling selection rule for factorizable and non-factorizable orbifolds, with prime ordered and non-prime ordered point groups. R-charge conservation arises due to symmetries among the worldsheet instantons that can mediate the couplings. Among our results is a previously missed non-trivial contribution to the conserved R-charges from the γ-phases in non-prime orbifolds, which weakens the R-charge selection rule. Symmetries among the worldsheet instantons can also lead to additional selection rules for some couplings. We make a similar analysis for Rule 4 or the "torus lattice selection rule". Moreover, we identify a new string selection rule, that we call Rule 6 or the "coset vector selection rule".

Solving the flatness problem with an anisotropic instanton in Hořava-Lifshitz gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bramberger, Sebastian F.; Coates, Andrew; Magueijo, João; Mukohyama, Shinji; Namba, Ryo; Watanabe, Yota

2018-02-01

In Hořava-Lifshitz gravity a scaling isotropic in space but anisotropic in spacetime, often called "anisotropic scaling," with the dynamical critical exponent z =3 , lies at the base of its renormalizability. This scaling also leads to a novel mechanism of generating scale-invariant cosmological perturbations, solving the horizon problem without inflation. In this paper we propose a possible solution to the flatness problem, in which we assume that the initial condition of the Universe is set by a small instanton respecting the same scaling. We argue that the mechanism may be more general than the concrete model presented here. We rely simply on the deformed dispersion relations of the theory, and on equipartition of the various forms of energy at the starting point.

Five-dimensional gauge theory and compactification on a torus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haghighat, Babak; Vandoren, Stefan

2011-09-01

We study five-dimensional minimally supersymmetric gauge theory compactified on a torus down to three dimensions, and its embedding into string/M-theory using geometric engineering. The moduli space on the Coulomb branch is hyperkähler equipped with a metric with modular transformation properties. We determine the one-loop corrections to the metric and show that they can be interpreted as worldsheet and D1-brane instantons in type IIB string theory. Furthermore, we analyze instanton corrections coming from the solitonic BPS magnetic string wrapped over the torus. In particular, we show how to compute the path-integral for the zero-modes from the partition function of the M5 brane, or, using a 2d/4d correspondence, from the partition function of N=4 SYM theory on a Hirzebruch surface.

Double proton transfer in the complex of acetic acid with methanol: Theory versus experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández-Ramos, Antonio; Smedarchina, Zorka; Rodríguez-Otero, Jesús

2001-01-01

To test the approximate instanton approach to intermolecular proton-transfer dynamics, we report multidimensional ab initio bimolecular rate constants of HH, HD, and DD exchange in the complex of acetic acid with methanol in tetrahydrofuran-d8, and compare them with the NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) experiments of Gerritzen and Limbach. The bimolecular rate constants are evaluated as products of the exchange rates and the equilibrium rate constants of complex formation in solution. The two molecules form hydrogen-bond bridges and the exchange occurs via concerted transfer of two protons. The dynamics of this transfer is evaluated in the complete space of 36 vibrational degrees of freedom. The geometries of the two isolated molecules, the complex, and the transition states corresponding to double proton transfer are fully optimized at QCISD (quadratic configuration interaction including single and double substitutions) level of theory, and the normal-mode frequencies are calculated at MP2 (Møller-Plesset perturbation theory of second order) level with the 6-31G (d,p) basis set. The presence of the solvent is taken into account via single-point calculations over the gas phase geometries with the PCM (polarized continuum model). The proton exchange rate constants, calculated with the instanton method, show the effect of the structure and strength of the hydrogen bonds, reflected in the coupling between the tunneling motion and the other vibrations of the complex. Comparison with experiment, which shows substantial kinetic isotopic effects (KIE), indicates that tunneling prevails over classic exchange for the whole temperature range of observation. The unusual behavior of the experimental KIE upon single and double deuterium substitution is well reproduced and is related to the synchronicity of two-atom tunneling.

RG flows and instantons

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gava, Edi

2012-09-24

In these two lectures I discuss RG flow solutions in (1,0) six dimensional supergravity involving SU(2) Yang-Mills instantons. in the conformally flat part of the 6D metric. The solutions interpolate between two (4,0) supersymmetric AdS{sub 3} Multiplication-Sign S{sup 3} backgrounds with different values of AdS{sub 3} and S{sup 3} radii and describe RG flows in the dual 2D SCFT. The flows described are of v.e.v. type, driven by a vacuum expectation value of a (not exactly) marginal operator of dimension 2 in the UV. We give an interpretation of the supergravity solution in terms of the D1/D5 system in typemore » I string theory on K3, whose effective field theory is expected to flow to a (4,0) SCFT in the infrared.« less

6d, Coulomb branch anomaly matching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Intriligator, Kenneth

2014-10-01

6d QFTs are constrained by the analog of 't Hooft anomaly matching: all anomalies for global symmetries and metric backgrounds are constants of RG flows, and for all vacua in moduli spaces. We discuss an anomaly matching mechanism for 6d theories on their Coulomb branch. It is a global symmetry analog of Green-Schwarz-West-Sagnotti anomaly cancellation, and requires the apparent anomaly mismatch to be a perfect square, . Then Δ I 8 is cancelled by making X 4 an electric/magnetic source for the tensor multiplet, so background gauge field instantons yield charged strings. This requires the coefficients in X 4 to be integrally quantized. We illustrate this for theories. We also consider the SCFTs from N small E8 instantons, verifying that the recent result for its anomaly polynomial fits with the anomaly matching mechanism.

Infinitesimal moduli of G2 holonomy manifolds with instanton bundles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de la Ossa, Xenia; Larfors, Magdalena; Svanes, Eirik E.

2016-11-01

We describe the infinitesimal moduli space of pairs ( Y, V) where Y is a manifold with G 2 holonomy, and V is a vector bundle on Y with an instanton connection. These structures arise in connection to the moduli space of heterotic string compactifications on compact and non-compact seven dimensional spaces, e.g. domain walls. Employing the canonical G 2 cohomology developed by Reyes-Carrión and Fernández and Ugarte, we show that the moduli space decomposes into the sum of the bundle moduli {H}_{{overset{ěe }{d}}_A}^1(Y,End(V)) plus the moduli of the G 2 structure preserving the instanton condition. The latter piece is contained in {H}_{overset{ěe }{d}θ}^1(Y,TY) , and is given by the kernel of a map overset{ěe }{F} which generalises the concept of the Atiyah map for holomorphic bundles on complex manifolds to the case at hand. In fact, the map overset{ěe }{F} is given in terms of the curvature of the bundle and maps {H}_{overset{ěe }{d}θ}^1(Y,TY) into {H}_{{overset{ěe }{d}}_A}^2(Y,End(V)) , and moreover can be used to define a cohomology on an extension bundle of TY by End( V). We comment further on the resemblance with the holomorphic Atiyah algebroid and connect the story to physics, in particular to heterotic compactifications on ( Y, V) when α' = 0.

Emergent gauge fields and their nonperturbative effects in correlated electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Ki-Seok; Tanaka, Akihiro

2015-06-01

The history of modern condensed matter physics may be regarded as the competition and reconciliation between Stoner’s and Anderson’s physical pictures, where the former is based on momentum-space descriptions focusing on long wave-length fluctuations while the latter is based on real-space physics emphasizing emergent localized excitations. In particular, these two view points compete with each other in various nonperturbative phenomena, which range from the problem of high Tc superconductivity, quantum spin liquids in organic materials and frustrated spin systems, heavy-fermion quantum criticality, metal-insulator transitions in correlated electron systems such as doped silicons and two-dimensional electron systems, the fractional quantum Hall effect, to the recently discussed Fe-based superconductors. An approach to reconcile these competing frameworks is to introduce topologically nontrivial excitations into the Stoner’s description, which appear to be localized in either space or time and sometimes both, where scattering between itinerant electrons and topological excitations such as skyrmions, vortices, various forms of instantons, emergent magnetic monopoles, and etc. may catch nonperturbative local physics beyond the Stoner’s paradigm. In this review paper, we discuss nonperturbative effects of topological excitations on dynamics of correlated electrons. First, we focus on the problem of scattering between itinerant fermions and topological excitations in antiferromagnetic doped Mott insulators, expected to be relevant for the pseudogap phase of high Tc cuprates. We propose that nonperturbative effects of topological excitations can be incorporated within the perturbative framework, where an enhanced global symmetry with a topological term plays an essential role. In the second part, we go on to discuss the subject of symmetry protected topological states in a largely similar light. While we do not introduce itinerant fermions here, the nonperturbative dynamics of topological excitations is again seen to be crucial in classifying topologically nontrivial gapped systems. We point to some hidden links between several effective field theories with topological terms, starting with one-dimensional physics, and subsequently finding natural generalizations to higher dimensions.

Emergent Gauge Fields and Their Nonperturbative Effects in Correlated Electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Ki-Seok; Tanaka, Akihiro

The history of modern condensed matter physics may be regarded as the competition and reconciliation between Stoner's and Anderson's physical pictures, where the former is based on momentum-space descriptions focusing on long wave-length fluctuations while the latter is based on real-space physics emphasizing emergent localized excitations. In particular, these two view points compete with each other in various nonperturbative phenomena, which range from the problem of high Tc superconductivity, quantum spin liquids in organic materials and frustrated spin systems, heavy-fermion quantum criticality, metal-insulator transitions in correlated electron systems such as doped silicons and two-dimensional electron systems, the fractional quantum Hall effect, to the recently discussed Fe-based superconductors. An approach to reconcile these competing frameworks is to introduce topologically nontrivial excitations into the Stoner's description, which appear to be localized in either space or time and sometimes both, where scattering between itinerant electrons and topological excitations such as skyrmions, vortices, various forms of instantons, emergent magnetic monopoles, and etc. may catch nonperturbative local physics beyond the Stoner's paradigm. In this review article we discuss nonperturbative effects of topological excitations on dynamics of correlated electrons. First, we focus on the problem of scattering between itinerant fermions and topological excitations in antiferromagnetic doped Mott insulators, expected to be relevant for the pseudogap phase of high Tc cuprates. We propose that nonperturbative effects of topological excitations can be incorporated within the perturbative framework, where an enhanced global symmetry with a topological term plays an essential role. In the second part, we go on to discuss the subject of symmetry protected topological states in a largely similar light. While we do not introduce itinerant fermions here, the nonperturbative dynamics of topological excitations is again seen to be crucial in classifying topologically nontrivial gapped systems. We point to some hidden links between several effective field theories with topological terms, starting with one dimensional physics, and subsequently finding natural generalizations to higher dimensions.

One-loop Pfaffians and large-field inflation in string theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruehle, Fabian; Wieck, Clemens

2017-06-01

We study the consistency of large-field inflation in low-energy effective field theories of string theory. In particular, we focus on the stability of Kähler moduli in the particularly interesting case where the non-perturbative superpotential of the Kähler sector explicitly depends on the inflaton field. This situation arises generically due to one-loop corrections to the instanton action. The field dependence of the modulus potential feeds back into the inflationary dynamics, potentially impairing slow roll. We distinguish between world-sheet instantons from Euclidean D-branes, which typically yield polynomial one-loop Pfaffians, and gaugino condensates, which can yield exponential or periodic corrections. In all scenarios successful slow-roll inflation imposes bounds on the magnitude of the one-loop correction, corresponding to constraints on possible compactifications. While we put a certain emphasis on Type IIB constructions with mobile D7-branes, our results seem to apply more generally.

Spherical Hecke algebra in the Nekrasov-Shatashvili limit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourgine, Jean-Emile

2015-01-01

The Spherical Hecke central (SHc) algebra has been shown to act on the Nekrasov instanton partition functions of gauge theories. Its presence accounts for both integrability and AGT correspondence. On the other hand, a specific limit of the Omega background, introduced by Nekrasov and Shatashvili (NS), leads to the appearance of TBA and Bethe like equations. To unify these two points of view, we study the NS limit of the SHc algebra. We provide an expression of the instanton partition function in terms of Bethe roots, and define a set of operators that generates infinitesimal variations of the roots. These operators obey the commutation relations defining the SHc algebra at first order in the equivariant parameter ɛ 2. Furthermore, their action on the bifundamental contributions reproduces the Kanno-Matsuo-Zhang transformation. We also discuss the connections with the Mayer cluster expansion approach that leads to TBA-like equations.

Instanton operators and symmetry enhancement in 5d supersymmetric quiver gauge theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yonekura, Kazuya

2015-07-01

We consider general 5d SU( N ) quiver gauge theories whose nodes form an ADE Dynkin diagram of type G. Each node has SU( N i ) gauge group of general rank, Chern-Simons level κ i and additional w i fundamentals. When the total flavor number at each node is less than or equal to 2 N i - 2| κ i |, we give general rules under which the symmetries associated to instanton currents are enhanced to G × G or a subgroup of it in the UV 5d superconformal theory. When the total flavor number violates that condition at some of the nodes, further enhancement of flavor symmetries occurs. In particular we find a large class of gauge theories interpreted as S 1 compactification of 6d superconformal theories which are waiting for string/F-theory realization. We also consider hypermultiplets in (anti-)symmetric representation.

Testing B-violating signatures from exotic instantons in future colliders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addazi, Andrea; Kang, Xian-Wei; Khlopov, Maxim Yu.

2017-09-01

We discuss possible implications of exotic stringy instantons for baryon-violating signatures in future colliders. In particular, we discuss high-energy quark collisions and transitions. In principle, the process can be probed by high-luminosity electron-positron colliders. However, we find that an extremely high luminosity is needed in order to provide a (somewhat) stringent bound compared to the current data on NN → ππ,KK. On the other hand, (exotic) instanton-induced six-quark interactions can be tested in near future high-energy colliders beyond LHC, at energies around 20-100 TeV. The Super proton-proton Collider (SppC) would be capable of such measurement given the proposed energy level of 50-90 TeV. Comparison with other channels is made. In particular, we show the compatibility of our model with neutron-antineutron and NN → ππ,KK bounds. A. A.’s work was Supported in part by the MIUR research grant “Theoretical Astroparticle Physics" PRIN 2012CPPYP7. XWK's work is partly Supported by the DFG and the NSFC through funds provided to the Sino-German CRC 110 “Symmetries and the Emergence of Structure in QCD” when he was in Jülich, and by MOST, Taiwan, (104-2112-M-001-022) from April 2017. The work by MK was performed within the framework of the Center FRPP Supported by MEPhI Academic Excellence Project (contract 02.03.21.0005, 27.08.2013), Supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation, project 3.472.2014/K and grant RFBR 14-22-03048

Neutron Electric Dipole Moment from Gauge-String Duality.

PubMed

Bartolini, Lorenzo; Bigazzi, Francesco; Bolognesi, Stefano; Cotrone, Aldo L; Manenti, Andrea

2017-03-03

We compute the electric dipole moment of nucleons in the large N_{c} QCD model by Witten, Sakai, and Sugimoto with N_{f}=2 degenerate massive flavors. Baryons in the model are instantonic solitons of an effective five-dimensional action describing the whole tower of mesonic fields. We find that the dipole electromagnetic form factor of the nucleons, induced by a finite topological θ angle, exhibits complete vector meson dominance. We are able to evaluate the contribution of each vector meson to the final result-a small number of modes are relevant to obtain an accurate estimate. Extrapolating the model parameters to real QCD data, the neutron electric dipole moment is evaluated to be d_{n}=1.8×10^{-16}θ e cm. The electric dipole moment of the proton is exactly the opposite.

Predicted and Totally Unexpected in the Energy Frontier Opened by LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zichichi, Antonino

2011-01-01

Opening lectures. Sid Coleman and Erice / A. Zichichi. Remembering Sidney Coleman / G.'t Hooft -- Predicted signals at LHC. From extra-dimensions: Multiple branes scenarios and their contenders / I. Antoniadis. Predicted signals at the LHC from technicolor / A. Martin. The one-parameter model at LHC / J. Maxin, E. Mayes and D. V. Nanopoulos. How supercritical string cosmology affects LHC / D. V. Nanopoulos. High scale physics connection to LHC data / P. Nath. Predicted signatures at the LHC from U(I) extensions of the standard model / P. Nath -- Hot theoretical topics. Progress on the ultraviolet finiteness of supergravity / Z. Bern. Status of supersymmetry: Foundations and applications / S. Ferrara and A. Marrani. Quantum gravity from dynamical triangulation / R. Loll. Status of superstring and M-theory / J. H. Schwarz. Some effects of instantons in QCD / G.'t Hooft. Crystalline gravity / G.'t Hooft -- QCD problems. Strongly coupled gauge theories / R. Kenway. Strongly interacting matter at high energy density / L. McLerran. Seminars on specialized topics. The nature and the mass of neutrinos. Majorana vs. Dirac / A. Bettini. The anomalous spin distributions in the nucleon / A. Deshpande. Results from PHENIX at RHIC / M. J. Tannenbaum -- Highlights from laboratories. Highlights from RHIC / Y. Akiba. News from the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory / E. Coccia. Highlights from TRIUMF / N. S. Lockyer. Highlights from Superkamiokande / M. Koshiba. Highlights from Fermilab / P. J. Oddone. Highlights from IHEP / Y. Wang -- Special sessions for new talents. Fake supergravity and black hole evolution / A. Gnecchi. Track-based improvement in the jet transverse momentum resolution for ATLAS / Z. Marshall. Searches for supersymmetric dark matter with XENON / K. Ni. Running of Newton's constant and quantum gravitational effects / D. Reeb.

Detection and quantification of explosives and CWAs using a handheld widely tunable quantum cascade laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deutsch, Erik R.; Haibach, Frederick G.; Mazurenko, Alexander

2012-06-01

The requirements for standoff detection of Explosives and CWA/TICs on surfaces in the battlefield are challenging because of the low detection limits. The variety of targets, backgrounds and interferences increase the challenges. Infrared absorption spectroscopy with traditional infrared detection technologies, incandescent sources that offer broad wavelength range but poor spectral intensity, are particularly challenged in standoff applications because most photons are lost to the target, background and the environment. Using a brighter source for active infrared detection e.g. a widely-tunable quantum cascade laser (QCL) source, provides sufficient spectral intensity to achieve the needed sensitivity and selectivity for explosives, CWAs, and TICs on surfaces. Specific detection of 1-10 μg/cm2 is achieved within seconds. CWAs, and TICs in vapor and aerosol form present a different challenge. Vapors and aerosols are present at low concentrations, so long pathlengths are required to achieve the desired sensitivity. The collimated output beam from the QCL simplifies multi-reflection cells for vapor detection while also enabling large standoff distances. Results obtained by the QCL system indicate that <1 ppm for vapors can be achieved with specificity in a measurement time of seconds, and the QCL system was successfully able to detect agents in the presence of interferents. QCLs provide additional capabilities for the dismounted warfighter. Given the relatively low power consumption, small package, and instant-on capability of the QCL, a handheld device can provide field teams with early detection of toxic agents and energetic materials in standoff, vapor, or aerosol form using a single technology and device which makes it attractive compared other technologies.

Ultralight axion in supersymmetry and strings and cosmology at small scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halverson, James; Long, Cody; Nath, Pran

2017-09-01

Dynamical mechanisms to generate an ultralight axion of mass ˜10-21- 10-22 eV in supergravity and strings are discussed. An ultralight particle of this mass provides a candidate for dark matter that may play a role for cosmology at scales of 10 kpc or less. An effective operator approach for the axion mass provides a general framework for models of ultralight axions, and in one case recovers the scale 10-21- 10-22 eV as the electroweak scale times the square of the hierarchy with an O (1 ) Wilson coefficient. We discuss several classes of models realizing this framework where an ultralight axion of the necessary size can be generated. In one class of supersymmetric models an ultralight axion is generated by instanton-like effects. In the second class higher-dimensional operators involving couplings of Higgs, standard model singlets, and axion fields naturally lead to an ultralight axion. Further, for the class of models considered the hierarchy between the ultralight scale and the weak scale is maintained. We also discuss the generation of an ultralight scale within string-based models. In the single-modulus Kachru-Kallosh-Linde-Trivedi moduli stabilization scheme an ultralight axion would require an ultralow weak scale. However, within the large volume scenario, the desired hierarchy between the axion scale and the weak scale is achieved. A general analysis of couplings of Higgs fields to instantons within the string framework is discussed and it is shown that the condition necessary for achieving such couplings is the existence of vector-like zero modes of the instanton. Some of the phenomenological aspects of these models are also discussed.

Black holes as bubble nucleation sites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gregory, Ruth; Moss, Ian G.; Withers, Benjamin

2014-03-01

We consider the effect of inhomogeneities on the rate of false vacuum decay. Modelling the inhomogeneity by a black hole, we construct explicit Euclidean instantons which describe the nucleation of a bubble of true vacuum centred on the inhomogeneity. We find that inhomogeneity significantly enhances the nucleation rate over that of the Coleman-de Luccia instanton — the black hole acts as a nucleation site for the bubble. The effect is larger than previously believed due to the contributions to the action from conical singularities. For a sufficiently low initial mass, the original black hole is replaced by flat space during this process, as viewed by a single causal patch observer. Increasing the initial mass, we find a critical value above which a black hole remnant survives the process. This resulting black hole can have a higher mass than the original black hole, but always has a lower entropy. We compare the process to bubble-to-bubble transitions, where there is a semi-classical Lorentzian description in the WKB approximation.

The topological susceptibility from grand canonical simulations in the interacting instanton liquid model: Chiral phase transition and axion mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wantz, Olivier; Shellard, E. P. S.

2010-04-01

This is the last in a series of papers on the topological susceptibility in the interacting instanton liquid model (IILM). We will derive improved finite temperature interactions to study the thermodynamic limit of grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations in the quenched and unquenched case with light, physical quark masses. In particular, we will be interested in chiral symmetry breaking. The paper culminates by giving, for the first time, a well-motivated temperature-dependent axion mass. Especially, this work finally provides a computation of the axion mass in the low temperature regime, ma2fa2=1.46×10-3Λ41+0.50 T/Λ1+(3.53 . It connects smoothly to the high temperature dilute gas approximation; the latter is improved by including quark threshold effects. To compare with earlier studies, we also provide the usual power-law ma2=αΛ4fa2(T, where Λ=400 MeV, n=6.68 and α=1.68×10-7.

BPS/CFT Correspondence III: Gauge Origami Partition Function and qq-Characters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nekrasov, Nikita

2018-03-01

We study generalized gauge theories engineered by taking the low energy limit of the Dp branes wrapping {X × {T}^{p-3}}, with X a possibly singular surface in a Calabi-Yau fourfold Z. For toric Z and X the partition function can be computed by localization, making it a statistical mechanical model, called the gauge origami. The random variables are the ensembles of Young diagrams. The building block of the gauge origami is associated with a tetrahedron, whose edges are colored by vector spaces. We show the properly normalized partition function is an entire function of the Coulomb moduli, for generic values of the {Ω} -background parameters. The orbifold version of the theory defines the qq-character operators, with and without the surface defects. The analytic properties are the consequence of a relative compactness of the moduli spaces M({ěc n}, k) of crossed and spiked instantons, demonstrated in "BPS/CFT correspondence II: instantons at crossroads, moduli and compactness theorem".

Topological string, supersymmetric gauge theory and bps counting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pan, Guang

In this thesis we study the Donaldson-Thomas theory on the local curve geometry, which arises in the context of geometric engineering of supersymmetric gauge theory from type IIA string compactification. The topological A-model amplitude gives the F-term interaction of the compactified theory. In particular, it is related to the instanton partition function via Nekrasov conjecture. We will introduce ADHM sheaves on curve, as an alternative description of local Donaldson-Thomas theory. We derive the wallcrossing of ADHM invariants and their refinements. We show that it is equivalent to the semi-primitive wallcrossing from supergravity, and the Kontsevich-Soibelman wallcrossing formula. As an application, we discuss the connection between ADHM moduli space with Hitchin system. In particular we give a recursive formula for the Poincare polynomial of Hitchin system in terms of instanton partition function, from refined wallcrossing. We also introduce higher rank generalization of Donaldson-Thomas invariant in the context of ADHM sheaves. We study their wallcrossing and discuss their physical interpretation via string duality.

Schwinger effect in de Sitter space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fröb, Markus B.; Garriga, Jaume; Kanno, Sugumi; Sasaki, Misao; Soda, Jiro; Tanaka, Takahiro; Vilenkin, Alexander

2014-04-01

We consider Schwinger pair production in 1+1 dimensional de Sitter space, filled with a constant electric field E. This can be thought of as a model for describing false vacuum decay beyond the semiclassical approximation, where pairs of a quantum field phi of mass m and charge e play the role of vacuum bubbles. We find that the adiabatic ``in" vacuum associated with the flat chart develops a space-like expectation value for the current J, which manifestly breaks the de Sitter invariance of the background fields. We derive a simple expression for J(E), showing that both ``upward" and ``downward" tunneling contribute to the build-up of the current. For heavy fields, with m2 gg eE,H2, the current is exponentially suppressed, in agreement with the results of semiclassical instanton methods. Here, H is the inverse de Sitter radius. On the other hand, light fields with m ll H lead to a phenomenon of infrared hyperconductivity, where a very small electric field mHlesssimeE ll H2 leads to a very large current J ~ H3/E. We also show that all Hadamard states for phi necessarily break de Sitter invariance. Finally, we comment on the role of initial conditions, and ``persistence of memory" effects.

New type of hill-top inflation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barvinsky, A.O.; Department of Physics, Tomsk State University,Lenin Ave. 36, Tomsk 634050; Department of Physics and Astronomy, Pacific Institue for Theoretical Physics,University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1

2016-01-20

We suggest a new type of hill-top inflation originating from the initial conditions in the form of the microcanonical density matrix for the cosmological model with a large number of quantum fields conformally coupled to gravity. Initial conditions for inflation are set up by cosmological instantons describing underbarrier oscillations in the vicinity of the inflaton potential maximum. These periodic oscillations of the inflaton field and cosmological scale factor are obtained within the approximation of two coupled oscillators subject to the slow roll regime in the Euclidean time. This regime is characterized by rapid oscillations of the scale factor on themore » background of a slowly varying inflaton, which guarantees smallness of slow roll parameters ϵ and η of the following inflation stage. A hill-like shape of the inflaton potential is shown to be generated by logarithmic loop corrections to the tree-level asymptotically shift-invariant potential in the non-minimal Higgs inflation model and R{sup 2}-gravity. The solution to the problem of hierarchy between the Planckian scale and the inflation scale is discussed within the concept of conformal higher spin fields, which also suggests the mechanism bringing the model below the gravitational cutoff and, thus, protecting it from large graviton loop corrections.« less

New type of hill-top inflation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Barvinsky, A.O.; Nesterov, D.V.; Kamenshchik, A.Yu., E-mail: barvin@td.lpi.ru, E-mail: Alexander.Kamenshchik@bo.infn.it, E-mail: nesterov@td.lpi.ru

2016-01-01

We suggest a new type of hill-top inflation originating from the initial conditions in the form of the microcanonical density matrix for the cosmological model with a large number of quantum fields conformally coupled to gravity. Initial conditions for inflation are set up by cosmological instantons describing underbarrier oscillations in the vicinity of the inflaton potential maximum. These periodic oscillations of the inflaton field and cosmological scale factor are obtained within the approximation of two coupled oscillators subject to the slow roll regime in the Euclidean time. This regime is characterized by rapid oscillations of the scale factor on themore » background of a slowly varying inflaton, which guarantees smallness of slow roll parameters ε and η of the following inflation stage. A hill-like shape of the inflaton potential is shown to be generated by logarithmic loop corrections to the tree-level asymptotically shift-invariant potential in the non-minimal Higgs inflation model and R{sup 2}-gravity. The solution to the problem of hierarchy between the Planckian scale and the inflation scale is discussed within the concept of conformal higher spin fields, which also suggests the mechanism bringing the model below the gravitational cutoff and, thus, protecting it from large graviton loop corrections.« less

Unconventional phases in quantum spin and pseudospin systems in two dimensional and three dimensional lattices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Cenke

Several examples of quantum spin systems and pseudo spin systems have been studied, and unconventional states of matters and phase transitions have been realized in all these systems under consideration. In the p +/- ip superconductor Josephson lattice and the p--band cold atomic system trapped in optical lattices, novel phases which behave similarly to 1+1 dimensional systems are realized, despite the fact that the real physical systems are in two or three dimensional spaces. For instance, by employing a spin-wave analysis together with a new duality transformation, we establish the existence and stability of a novel gapless "critical phase", which we refer to as a "bond algebraic liquid". This novel critical phase is analogous to the 1+1 dimensional algebraic boson liquid phase. The reason for the novel physics is that there is a quasilocal gauge symmetry in the effective low energy Hamiltonian. In a spin-1 system on the kagome lattice, and a hard-core boson system on the honeycomb lattice, the low energy physics is controlled by two components of compact U(1) gauge symmetries that emerge at low energy. Making use of the confinement nature of the 2+1 dimensional compact gauge theories and the powerful duality between gauge theories and height field theories, the crystalline phase diagrams are studied for both systems, and the transitions to other phases are also considered. These phase diagrams might be accessible in strongly correlated materials, or atomic systems in optical lattices. A novel quantum ground state of matter is realized in a bosonic model on three dimensional fcc lattice with emergent low energy excitations. The novel phase obtained is a stable gapless boson liquid phase, with algebraic boson density correlations. The stability of this phase is protected against the instanton effect and superfluidity by self-duality and large gauge symmetries on both sides of the duality. The gapless collective excitations of this phase closely resemble the graviton, although they have a soft w ˜ k2 dispersion relation. The dynamics of this novel phase is described by a new set of Maxwell's equations.

Tunneling splitting in double-proton transfer: direct diagonalization results for porphycene.

PubMed

Smedarchina, Zorka; Siebrand, Willem; Fernández-Ramos, Antonio

2014-11-07

Zero-point and excited level splittings due to double-proton tunneling are calculated for porphycene and the results are compared with experiment. The calculation makes use of a multidimensional imaginary-mode Hamiltonian, diagonalized directly by an effective reduction of its dimensionality. Porphycene has a complex potential energy surface with nine stationary configurations that allow a variety of tunneling paths, many of which include classically accessible regions. A symmetry-based approach is used to show that the zero-point level, although located above the cis minimum, corresponds to concerted tunneling along a direct trans - trans path; a corresponding cis - cis path is predicted at higher energy. This supports the conclusion of a previous paper [Z. Smedarchina, W. Siebrand, and A. Fernández-Ramos, J. Chem. Phys. 127, 174513 (2007)] based on the instanton approach to a model Hamiltonian of correlated double-proton transfer. A multidimensional tunneling Hamiltonian is then generated, based on a double-minimum potential along the coordinate of concerted proton motion, which is newly evaluated at the RI-CC2/cc-pVTZ level of theory. To make it suitable for diagonalization, its dimensionality is reduced by treating fast weakly coupled modes in the adiabatic approximation. This results in a coordinate-dependent mass of tunneling, which is included in a unique Hermitian form into the kinetic energy operator. The reduced Hamiltonian contains three symmetric and one antisymmetric mode coupled to the tunneling mode and is diagonalized by a modified Jacobi-Davidson algorithm implemented in the Jadamilu software for sparse matrices. The results are in satisfactory agreement with the observed splitting of the zero-point level and several vibrational fundamentals after a partial reassignment, imposed by recently derived selection rules. They also agree well with instanton calculations based on the same Hamiltonian.

A theory of self-organized zonal flow with fine radial structure in tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y. Z.; Liu, Z. Y.; Xie, T.; Mahajan, S. M.; Liu, J.

2017-12-01

The (low frequency) zonal flow-ion temperature gradient (ITG) wave system, constructed on Braginskii's fluid model in tokamak, is shown to be a reaction-diffusion-advection system; it is derived by making use of a multiple spatiotemporal scale technique and two-dimensional (2D) ballooning theory. For real regular group velocities of ITG waves, two distinct temporal processes, sharing a very similar meso-scale radial structure, are identified in the nonlinear self-organized stage. The stationary and quasi-stationary structures reflect a particular feature of the poloidal group velocity. The equation set posed to be an initial value problem is numerically solved for JET low mode parameters; the results are presented in several figures and two movies that show the spatiotemporal evolutions as well as the spectrum analysis—frequency-wave number spectrum, auto power spectrum, and Lissajous diagram. This approach reveals that the zonal flow in tokamak is a local traveling wave. For the quasi-stationary process, the cycle of ITG wave energy is composed of two consecutive phases in distinct spatiotemporal structures: a pair of Cavitons growing and breathing slowly without long range propagation, followed by a sudden decay into many Instantons that carry negative wave energy rapidly into infinity. A spotlight onto the motion of Instantons for a given radial position reproduces a Blob-Hole temporal structure; the occurrence as well as the rapid decay of Caviton into Instantons is triggered by zero-crossing of radial group velocity. A sample of the radial profile of zonal flow contributed from 31 nonlinearly coupled rational surfaces near plasma edge is found to be very similar to that observed in the JET Ohmic phase [J. C. Hillesheim et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 165002 (2016)]. The theory predicts an interior asymmetric dipole structure associated with the zonal flow that is driven by the gradients of ITG turbulence intensity.

QCD axion star collapse with the chiral potential

DOE PAGES

Eby, Joshua; Leembruggen, Madelyn; Suranyi, Peter; ...

2017-06-05

In a previous study, we analyzed collapsing axion stars using the low-energy instanton potential, showing that the total energy is always bounded and that collapsing axion stars do not form black holes. In this paper, we provide a proof that the conclusions are unchanged when using instead the more general chiral potential for QCD axions.

Probable or improbable universe? Correlating electroweak vacuum instability with the scale of inflation

DOE PAGES

Hook, Anson; Kearney, John; Shakya, Bibhushan; ...

2015-01-13

Measurements of the Higgs boson and top quark masses indicate that the Standard Model Higgs potential becomes unstable around Λ I ~ 10 11 GeV. This instability is cosmologically relevant since quantum fluctuations during inflation can easily destabilize the electroweak vacuum if the Hubble parameter during inflation is larger than Λ I (as preferred by the recent BICEP 2 measurement). Here, we perform a careful study of the evolution of the Higgs field during inflation, obtaining different results from those currently in the literature. We consider both tunneling via a Coleman-de Luccia or Hawking-Moss instanton, valid when the scale ofmore » inflation is below the instability scale, as well as a statistical treatment via the Fokker-Planck equation appropriate in the opposite regime. We show that a better understanding of the post-inflation evolution of the unstable AdS vacuum regions is crucial for determining the eventual fate of the universe. If these AdS regions devour all of space, a universe like ours is indeed extremely unlikely without new physics to stabilize the Higgs potential; however, if these regions crunch, our universe survives, but inflation must last a few e-folds longer to compensate for the lost AdS regions. Lastly, we examine the effects of generic Planck-suppressed corrections to the Higgs potential, which can be sufficient to stabilize the electroweak vacuum during inflation.« less

Superfluid--Solid Quantum Phase Transitions and Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson Paradigm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuklov, A. B.; Prokof'ev, N. V.

2005-03-01

We study superfluid (SF)--solid zero-temperature transitions in 2d lattice boson/spin models by Worm-Algorithm Monte Carlo simulations. The SF -- Valence Bond Solid (VBS) transition was recently argued to be generically of II order in violation of the Ginzburg-Landau- Wilson (GLW) paradigm [1]. We simulate the J-current model on lattices up to 64x64x64, and observe that SF- columnar VBS and SF-checkerboard solid transitions are typically weak I-order ones and in small systems they may be confused with the continuous or high-symmetry points [2]. Thus, in the simulated model, the SF-VBS transition proceeds in agreement with the GLW paradigm. We explain this by dominance of standard particle and hole excitations, as opposed to fractionalized (spinon) excitations [1]. We developed a technique based on tunneling events (instantons) in the insulating phase which reveals charges of the revelant long-wave modes. While in 1d systems spinons are clearly seen in tunneling events, in two spatial dimensions tunneling is solely controlled by particles and holes in our system. This work is supported by NSF grant ITR-405460001 and PSC-CUNY- 665560035. [1] T. Senthil, A. Vishwanath, L. Balents, S. Sachdev, and M.P.A. Fisher, Science 303, 1490 (2004); [2] A.B. Kuklov, N.V. Prokof'ev, B.V. Svistunov, condmat/0406061; PRL, to be published.

Higher winding strings and confined monopoles in N=2 supersymmetric QCD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Auzzi, R.; Bolognesi, S.; Shifman, M.

2010-04-15

We consider composite string solutions in N=2 SQCD with the gauge group U(N), the Fayet-Iliopoulos term {xi}{ne}0 and N (s)quark flavors. These bulk theories support non-Abelian strings and confined monopoles identified with kinks in the two-dimensional world-sheet theory. Similar and more complicated kinks (corresponding to composite confined monopoles) must exist in the world-sheet theories on composite strings. In a bid to detect them we analyze the Hanany-Tong (HT) model, focusing on a particular example of N=2. Unequal quark mass terms in the bulk theory result in the twisted masses in the N=(2,2) HT model. For spatially coinciding 2-strings, we findmore » three distinct minima of potential energy, corresponding to three different 2-strings. Then we find BPS-saturated kinks interpolating between each pair of vacua. Two kinks can be called elementary. They emanate one unit of the magnetic flux and have the same mass as the conventional 't Hooft-Polyakov monopole on the Coulomb branch of the bulk theory ({xi}=0). The third kink represents a composite bimonopole, with twice the minimal magnetic flux. Its mass is twice the mass of the elementary confined monopole. We find instantons in the HT model, and discuss quantum effects in composite strings at strong coupling. In addition, we study the renormalization group flow in this model.« less

Instantons in string theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ahlén, Olof, E-mail: olof.ahlen@aei.mpg.de

2015-12-17

These proceedings from the second Caesar Lattes meeting in Rio de Janeiro 2015 are a brief introduction to how automorphic forms appear in the low energy effective action of maximally supersymmetric string theory. The explicit example of the R{sup 4}-interaction of type IIB string theory in ten dimensions is discussed. Its Fourier expansion is interpreted in terms of perturbative and non-perturbative contributions to the four graviton amplitude.

"Evaluations" of Observables Versus Measurements in Quantum Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisticò, Giuseppe; Sestito, Angela

2016-03-01

In Quantum Physics there are circumstances where the direct measurement of a given observable encounters difficulties; in some of these cases, however, its value can be "evaluated", i.e. it can be inferred by measuring another observable characterized by perfect correlation with the observable of interest. Though an evaluation is often interpreted as a measurement of the evaluated observable, we prove that the two concepts cannot be identified in Quantum Physics, because the identification yields contradictions. Then, we establish the conceptual status of evaluations in Quantum Theory and how they are related to measurements.

Tunneling Rate Constants for H2CO+H on Amorphous Solid Water Surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Lei; Kästner, Johannes

2017-12-01

Formaldehyde (H2CO) is one of the most abundant molecules observed in the icy mantle covering interstellar grains. Studying its evolution can contribute to our understanding of the formation of complex organic molecules in various interstellar environments. In this work, we investigated the hydrogenation reactions of H2CO yielding CH3O, CH2OH, and the hydrogen abstraction resulting in H2+HCO on an amorphous solid water (ASW) surface using a quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) model. The binding energies of H2CO on the ASW surface vary broadly, from 1000 to 9370 K. No correlation was found between binding energies and activation energies of hydrogenation reactions. Combining instanton theory with QM/MM modeling, we calculated rate constants for the Langmuir-Hinshelwood and the Eley-Rideal mechanisms for the three product channels of H+H2CO surface reactions down to 59 K. We found that the channel producing CH2OH can be ignored, owing to its high activation barrier leading to significantly lower rates than the other two channels. The ASW surface influences the reactivity in favor of formation of CH3O (branching ratio ˜80%) and hinders the H2CO dissociation into H2+HCO. In addition, kinetic isotope effects are strong in all reaction channels and vary strongly between the channels. Finally, we provide fits of the rate constants to be used in astrochemical models.

[Research in theoretical nuclear physics]. [Annual progress report, July 1992--June 1993

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kapusta, J.I.

1993-12-31

The main subject of research was the physics of matter at energy densities greater than 0.15 GeV/fm{sup 3}. Theory encompasses the relativistic many-body/quantum field theory aspects of QCD and the electroweak interactions at these high energy densities, both in and out of thermal equilibrium. Applications range from neutron stars/pulsars to QCD and electroweak phase transitions in the early universe, from baryon number violation in cosmology to the description of nucleus-nucleus collisions at CERN and at Brookhaven. Recent activity to understand the properties of matter at energy densities where the electroweak W and Z boson degrees of freedom are important ismore » reported. This problem has applications to cosmology and has the potential to explain the baryon asymmetry produced in the big bang at energies where the particle degrees of freedom will soon be experimentally, probed. This problem is interesting for nuclear physics because of the techniques used in many-body, physics of nuclei and the quark-gluon plasma may be extended to this new problem. The was also interested in problems related to multiparticle production. This includes work on production of particles in heavy-ion collisions, the small x part, of the nuclear and hadron wave function, and multiparticle production induced by instantons in weakly coupled theories. These problems have applications in the heavy ion program at RHIC and the deep inelastic scattering experiments at HERA.« less

Cosmic bubble and domain wall instabilities III: the role of oscillons in three-dimensional bubble collisions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bond, J. Richard; Braden, Jonathan; Mersini-Houghton, Laura, E-mail: bond@cita.utoronto.ca, E-mail: j.braden@ucl.ac.uk, E-mail: mersini@physics.unc.edu

2015-09-01

We study collisions between pairs of bubbles nucleated in an ambient false vacuum. For the first time, we include the effects of small initial (quantum) fluctuations around the instanton profiles describing the most likely initial bubble profile. Past studies of this problem neglect these fluctuations and work under the assumption that the collisions posess an exact SO(2,1) symmetry. We use three-dimensional lattice simulations to demonstrate that for double-well potentials, small initial perturbations to this symmetry can be amplified as the system evolves. Initially the amplification is well-described by linear perturbation theory around the SO(2,1) background, but the onset of strongmore » nonlinearities amongst the fluctuations quickly leads to a drastic breaking of the original SO(2,1) symmetry and the production of oscillons in the collision region. We explore several single-field models, and we find it is hard to both realize inflation inside of a bubble and produce oscillons in a collision. Finally, we extend our results to a simple two-field model. The additional freedom allowed by the second field allows us to construct viable inflationary models that allow oscillon production in collisions. The breaking of the SO(2,1) symmetry allows for a new class of observational signatures from bubble collisions that do not posess azimuthal symmetry, including the production of gravitational waves which cannot be supported by an SO(2,1) spacetime.« less

Hydrogen transfer reactions of interstellar Complex Organic Molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Álvarez-Barcia, S.; Russ, P.; Kästner, J.; Lamberts, T.

2018-06-01

Radical recombination has been proposed to lead to the formation of complex organic molecules (COMs) in CO-rich ices in the early stages of star formation. These COMs can then undergo hydrogen addition and abstraction reactions leading to a higher or lower degree of saturation. Here, we have studied 14 hydrogen transfer reactions for the molecules glyoxal, glycoaldehyde, ethylene glycol, and methylformate and an additional three reactions where CHnO fragments are involved. Over-the-barrier reactions are possible only if tunneling is invoked in the description at low temperature. Therefore the rate constants for the studied reactions are calculated using instanton theory that takes quantum effects into account inherently. The reactions were characterized in the gas phase, but this is expected to yield meaningful results for CO-rich ices due to the minimal alteration of reaction landscapes by the CO molecules. We found that rate constants should not be extrapolated based on the height of the barrier alone, since the shape of the barrier plays an increasingly larger role at decreasing temperature. It is neither possible to predict rate constants based only on considering the type of reaction, the specific reactants and functional groups play a crucial role. Within a single molecule, though, hydrogen abstraction from an aldehyde group seems to be always faster than hydrogen addition to the same carbon atom. Reactions that involve heavy-atom tunneling, e.g., breaking or forming a C-C or C-O bond, have rate constants that are much lower than those where H transfer is involved.

European Scientific Notes. Volume 37, Number 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-01-31

instantoneous sea-state condition can be tions vary widely in their realism , with computed from a special data base coded some producing dynamic color pictures...between the variables of accuracy, approach channels, the alignment of practicality, realism , and expense. jetties, and the establishment of Because the...tidal current variables The system certainly seems to be valid, have been played into some of the and the smooth dynamics, realism , and simulator runs

On functional determinants of matrix differential operators with multiple zero modes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falco, G. M.; Fedorenko, Andrei A.; Gruzberg, Ilya A.

2017-12-01

We generalize the method of computing functional determinants with a single excluded zero eigenvalue developed by McKane and Tarlie to differential operators with multiple zero eigenvalues. We derive general formulas for such functional determinants of r× r matrix second order differential operators O with 0 < n ≤slant 2r linearly independent zero modes. We separately discuss the cases of the homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions, when the number of zero modes cannot exceed r, and the case of twisted boundary conditions, including the periodic and anti-periodic ones, when the number of zero modes is bounded above by 2r. In all cases the determinants with excluded zero eigenvalues can be expressed only in terms of the n zero modes and other r-n or 2r-n (depending on the boundary conditions) solutions of the homogeneous equation O h=0 , in the spirit of Gel’fand-Yaglom approach. In instanton calculations, the contribution of the zero modes is taken into account by introducing the so-called collective coordinates. We show that there is a remarkable cancellation of a factor (involving scalar products of zero modes) between the Jacobian of the transformation to the collective coordinates and the functional fluctuation determinant with excluded zero eigenvalues. This cancellation drastically simplifies instanton calculations when one uses our formulas.

Comparison of classical reaction paths and tunneling paths studied with the semiclassical instanton theory.

PubMed

Meisner, Jan; Markmeyer, Max N; Bohner, Matthias U; Kästner, Johannes

2017-08-30

Atom tunneling in the hydrogen atom transfer reaction of the 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl radical to 3,5-di-tert-butylneophyl, which has a short but strongly curved reaction path, was investigated using instanton theory. We found the tunneling path to deviate qualitatively from the classical intrinsic reaction coordinate, the steepest-descent path in mass-weighted Cartesian coordinates. To perform that comparison, we implemented a new variant of the predictor-corrector algorithm for the calculation of the intrinsic reaction coordinate. We used the reaction force analysis method as a means to decompose the reaction barrier into structural and electronic components. Due to the narrow energy barrier, atom tunneling is important in the abovementioned reaction, even above room temperature. Our calculated rate constants between 350 K and 100 K agree well with experimental values. We found a H/D kinetic isotope effect of almost 10 6 at 100 K. Tunneling dominates the protium transfer below 400 K and the deuterium transfer below 300 K. We compared the lengths of the tunneling path and the classical path for the hydrogen atom transfer in the reaction HCl + Cl and quantified the corner cutting in this reaction. At low temperature, the tunneling path is about 40% shorter than the classical path.

Efficient evaluation of atom tunneling combined with electronic structure calculations.

PubMed

Ásgeirsson, Vilhjálmur; Arnaldsson, Andri; Jónsson, Hannes

2018-03-14

Methodology for finding optimal tunneling paths and evaluating tunneling rates for atomic rearrangements is described. First, an optimal JWKB tunneling path for a system with fixed energy is obtained using a line integral extension of the nudged elastic band method. Then, a calculation of the dynamics along the path is used to determine the temperature at which it corresponds to an optimal Feynman path for thermally activated tunneling (instanton) and a harmonic approximation is used to estimate the transition rate. The method is illustrated with calculations for a modified two-dimensional Müller-Brown surface but is efficient enough to be used in combination with electronic structure calculations of the energy and atomic forces in systems containing many atoms. An example is presented where tunneling is the dominant mechanism well above room temperature as an H 3 BNH 3 molecule dissociates to form H 2 . Also, a solid-state example is presented where density functional theory calculations of H atom tunneling in a Ta crystal give close agreement with experimental measurements on hydrogen diffusion over a wide range in temperature.

Measurements of observables replaced by “evaluations” in Quantum Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nisticò, Giuseppe; Sestito, Angela

2015-07-01

In quantum physics there are circumstances where the direct measurement of particular observables encounters difficulties; in some of these cases, however, its value can be evaluated, i.e. it can be inferred by measuring another observable characterized by perfect correlation with the observable of interest. Though an evaluation is often interpreted as a measurement of the evaluated observable, we prove that the two concepts cannot be identified in quantum physics, because the identification yields contradictions. Then, we establish the conceptual status of evaluations in Quantum Theory and the role can be ascribed to them.

Quantum chemistry simulation on quantum computers: theories and experiments.

PubMed

Lu, Dawei; Xu, Boruo; Xu, Nanyang; Li, Zhaokai; Chen, Hongwei; Peng, Xinhua; Xu, Ruixue; Du, Jiangfeng

2012-07-14

It has been claimed that quantum computers can mimic quantum systems efficiently in the polynomial scale. Traditionally, those simulations are carried out numerically on classical computers, which are inevitably confronted with the exponential growth of required resources, with the increasing size of quantum systems. Quantum computers avoid this problem, and thus provide a possible solution for large quantum systems. In this paper, we first discuss the ideas of quantum simulation, the background of quantum simulators, their categories, and the development in both theories and experiments. We then present a brief introduction to quantum chemistry evaluated via classical computers followed by typical procedures of quantum simulation towards quantum chemistry. Reviewed are not only theoretical proposals but also proof-of-principle experimental implementations, via a small quantum computer, which include the evaluation of the static molecular eigenenergy and the simulation of chemical reaction dynamics. Although the experimental development is still behind the theory, we give prospects and suggestions for future experiments. We anticipate that in the near future quantum simulation will become a powerful tool for quantum chemistry over classical computations.

Inconclusive quantum measurements and decisions under uncertainty

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yukalov, Vyacheslav; Sornette, Didier

2016-04-01

We give a mathematical definition for the notion of inconclusive quantum measurements. In physics, such measurements occur at intermediate stages of a complex measurement procedure, with the final measurement result being operationally testable. Since the mathematical structure of Quantum Decision Theory has been developed in analogy with the theory of quantum measurements, the inconclusive quantum measurements correspond, in Quantum Decision Theory, to intermediate stages of decision making in the process of taking decisions under uncertainty. The general form of the quantum probability for a composite event is the sum of a utility factor, describing a rational evaluation of the considered prospect, and of an attraction factor, characterizing irrational, subconscious attitudes of the decision maker. Despite the involved irrationality, the probability of prospects can be evaluated. This is equivalent to the possibility of calculating quantum probabilities without specifying hidden variables. We formulate a general way of evaluation, based on the use of non-informative priors. As an example, we suggest the explanation of the decoy effect. Our quantitative predictions are in very good agreement with experimental data.

Intersecting solitons, amoeba, and tropical geometry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fujimori, Toshiaki; Nitta, Muneto; Ohta, Kazutoshi

2008-11-15

We study the generic intersection (or web) of vortices with instantons inside, which is a 1/4 Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield state in the Higgs phase of five-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric U(N{sub C}) gauge theory on R{sub t}x(C*){sup 2}{approx_equal}R{sup 2,1}xT{sup 2} with N{sub F}=N{sub C} Higgs scalars in the fundamental representation. In the case of the Abelian-Higgs model (N{sub F}=N{sub C}=1), the intersecting vortex sheets can be beautifully understood in a mathematical framework of amoeba and tropical geometry, and we propose a dictionary relating solitons and gauge theory to amoeba and tropical geometry. A projective shape of vortex sheets is described by the amoeba. Vortexmore » charge density is uniformly distributed among vortex sheets, and negative contribution to instanton charge density is understood as the complex Monge-Ampere measure with respect to a plurisubharmonic function on (C*){sup 2}. The Wilson loops in T{sup 2} are related with derivatives of the Ronkin function. The general form of the Kaehler potential and the asymptotic metric of the moduli space of a vortex loop are obtained as a by-product. Our discussion works generally in non-Abelian gauge theories, which suggests a non-Abelian generalization of the amoeba and tropical geometry.« less

Importance of tunneling in H-abstraction reactions by OH radicals. The case of CH4 + OH studied through isotope-substituted analogs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamberts, T.; Fedoseev, G.; Kästner, J.; Ioppolo, S.; Linnartz, H.

2017-03-01

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study focussing on the quantum tunneling of atoms in the reaction between CH4 and OH. The importance of this reaction pathway is derived by investigating isotope substituted analogs. Quantitative reaction rates needed for astrochemical models at low temperature are currently unavailable both in the solid state and in the gas phase. Here, we study tunneling effects upon hydrogen abstraction in CH4 + OH by focusing on two reactions: CH4 + OD → CH3 + HDO and CD4 + OH → CD3 + HDO. The experimental study shows that the solid-state reaction rate RCH4 + OD is higher than RCD4 + OH at 15 K. Experimental results are accompanied by calculations of the corresponding unimolecular and bimolecular reaction rate constants using instanton theory taking into account surface effects. For the work presented here, the unimolecular reactions are particularly interesting as these provide insight into reactions following a Langmuir-Hinshelwood process. The resulting ratio of the rate constants shows that the H abstraction (kCH4 + OD) is approximately ten times faster than D-abstraction (kCD4 + OH) at 65 K. We conclude that tunneling is involved at low temperatures in the abstraction reactions studied here. The unimolecular rate constants can be used by the modeling community as a first approach to describe OH-mediated abstraction reactions in the solid phase. For this reason we provide fits of our calculated rate constants that allow the inclusion of these reactions in models in a straightforward fashion.

Localization of effective actions in open superstring field theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maccaferri, Carlo; Merlano, Alberto

2018-03-01

We consider the construction of the algebraic part of D-branes tree-level effective action from Berkovits open superstring field theory. Applying this construction to the quartic potential of massless fields carrying a specific worldsheet charge, we show that the full contribution to the potential localizes at the boundary of moduli space, reducing to elementary two-point functions. As examples of this general mechanism, we show how the Yang-Mills quartic potential and the instanton effective action of a Dp/D( p - 4) system are reproduced.

Quantum mechanics over sets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ellerman, David

2014-03-01

In models of QM over finite fields (e.g., Schumacher's ``modal quantum theory'' MQT), one finite field stands out, Z2, since Z2 vectors represent sets. QM (finite-dimensional) mathematics can be transported to sets resulting in quantum mechanics over sets or QM/sets. This gives a full probability calculus (unlike MQT with only zero-one modalities) that leads to a fulsome theory of QM/sets including ``logical'' models of the double-slit experiment, Bell's Theorem, QIT, and QC. In QC over Z2 (where gates are non-singular matrices as in MQT), a simple quantum algorithm (one gate plus one function evaluation) solves the Parity SAT problem (finding the parity of the sum of all values of an n-ary Boolean function). Classically, the Parity SAT problem requires 2n function evaluations in contrast to the one function evaluation required in the quantum algorithm. This is quantum speedup but with all the calculations over Z2 just like classical computing. This shows definitively that the source of quantum speedup is not in the greater power of computing over the complex numbers, and confirms the idea that the source is in superposition.

Phases and approximations of baryonic popcorn in a low-dimensional analogue of holographic QCD

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elliot-Ripley, Matthew

2015-07-01

The Sakai-Sugimoto model is the most pre-eminent model of holographic QCD, in which baryons correspond to topological solitons in a five-dimensional bulk spacetime. Recently it has been shown that a single soliton in this model can be well approximated by a flat-space self-dual Yang-Mills instanton with a small size, although studies of multi-solitons and solitons at finite density are currently beyond numerical computations. A lower-dimensional analogue of the model has also been studied in which the Sakai-Sugimoto soliton is replaced by a baby Skyrmion in three spacetime dimensions with a warped metric. The lower dimensionality of this model means that full numerical field calculations are possible, and static multi-solitons and solitons at finite density were both investigated, in particular the baryonic popcorn phase transitions at high densities. Here we present and investigate an alternative lower-dimensional analogue of the Sakai-Sugimoto model in which the Sakai-Sugimoto soliton is replaced by an O(3)-sigma model instanton in a warped three-dimensional spacetime stabilized by a massive vector meson. A more detailed range of baryonic popcorn phase transitions are found, and the low-dimensional model is used as a testing ground to check the validity of common approximations made in the full five-dimensional model, namely approximating fields using their flat-space equations of motion, and performing a leading order expansion in the metric.

Quantum walks of interacting fermions on a cycle graph

PubMed Central

Melnikov, Alexey A.; Fedichkin, Leonid E.

2016-01-01

Quantum walks have been employed widely to develop new tools for quantum information processing recently. A natural quantum walk dynamics of interacting particles can be used to implement efficiently the universal quantum computation. In this work quantum walks of electrons on a graph are studied. The graph is composed of semiconductor quantum dots arranged in a circle. Electrons can tunnel between adjacent dots and interact via Coulomb repulsion, which leads to entanglement. Fermionic entanglement dynamics is obtained and evaluated. PMID:27681057

All conjugate-maximal-helicity-violating amplitudes from topological open string theory in twistor space.

PubMed

Roiban, Radu; Volovich, Anastasia

2004-09-24

It has recently been proposed that the D-instanton expansion of the open topological B model on P(3|4) is equivalent to the perturbative expansion of the maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. In this letter we show how to construct the gauge theory results for all n-point conjugate-maximal-helicity-violating amplitudes by computing the integral over the moduli space of curves of degree n-3 in P(3|4), providing strong support to the string theory construction.

Matrix theory interpretation of discrete light cone quantization string worldsheets

PubMed

Grignani; Orland; Paniak; Semenoff

2000-10-16

We study the null compactification of type-IIA string perturbation theory at finite temperature. We prove a theorem about Riemann surfaces establishing that the moduli spaces of infinite-momentum-frame superstring worldsheets are identical to those of branched-cover instantons in the matrix-string model conjectured to describe M theory. This means that the identification of string degrees of freedom in the matrix model proposed by Dijkgraaf, Verlinde, and Verlinde is correct and that its natural generalization produces the moduli space of Riemann surfaces at all orders in the genus expansion.

Multi-cut solutions in Chern-Simons matrix models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morita, Takeshi; Sugiyama, Kento

2018-04-01

We elaborate the Chern-Simons (CS) matrix models at large N. The saddle point equations of these matrix models have a curious structure which cannot be seen in the ordinary one matrix models. Thanks to this structure, an infinite number of multi-cut solutions exist in the CS matrix models. Particularly we exactly derive the two-cut solutions at finite 't Hooft coupling in the pure CS matrix model. In the ABJM matrix model, we argue that some of multi-cut solutions might be interpreted as a condensation of the D2-brane instantons.

Modularity, quaternion-Kähler spaces, and mirror symmetry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish

2013-10-15

We provide an explicit twistorial construction of quaternion-Kähler manifolds obtained by deformation of c-map spaces and carrying an isometric action of the modular group SL(2,Z). The deformation is not assumed to preserve any continuous isometry and therefore this construction presents a general framework for describing NS5-brane instanton effects in string compactifications with N= 2 supersymmetry. In this context the modular invariant parametrization of twistor lines found in this work yields the complete non-perturbative mirror map between type IIA and type IIB physical fields.

Wilson-loop instantons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Kimyeong; Holman, Richard; Kolb, Edward W.

1987-01-01

Wilson-loop symmetry breaking is considered on a space-time of the form M4 x K, where M4 is a four-dimensional space-time and K is an internal space with nontrivial and finite fundamental group. It is shown in a simple model that the different vacua obtained by breaking a non-Abelian gauge group by Wilson loops are separated in the space of gauge potentials by a finite energy barrier. An interpolating gauge configuration is then constructed between these vacua and shown to have minimum energy. Finally some implications of this construction are discussed.

Instantons on ALE spaces and orbifold partitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dijkgraaf, Robbert; Sułkowski, Piotr

2008-03-01

We consider Script N = 4 theories on ALE spaces of Ak-1 type. As is well known, their partition functions coincide with Ak-1 affine characters. We show that these partition functions are equal to the generating functions of some peculiar classes of partitions which we introduce under the name 'orbifold partitions'. These orbifold partitions turn out to be related to the generalized Frobenius partitions introduced by G. E. Andrews some years ago. We relate the orbifold partitions to the blended partitions and interpret explicitly in terms of a free fermion system.

Darboux coordinates and instanton corrections in projective superspace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crichigno, P. Marcos; Jain, Dharmesh

2012-10-01

By demanding consistency of the Legendre transform construction of hyperkähler metrics in projective superspace, we derive the expression for the Darboux coordinates on the hyperkähler manifold. We apply these results to study the Coulomb branch moduli space of 4D, {N}=2 super-Yang-Mills theory (SYM) on {{{R}}^3}× {S^1} , recovering the results by GMN. We also apply this method to study the electric corrections to the moduli space of 5D, {N}=1 SYM on {{{R}}^3}× {T^2} and give the Darboux coordinates explicitly.

Model for quantum effects in stellar collapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arderucio-Costa, Bruno; Unruh, William G.

2018-01-01

We present a simple model for stellar collapse and evaluate the quantum mechanical stress-energy tensor to argue that quantum effects do not play an important role for the collapse of astrophysical objects.

Entanglement and co-tunneling of two equivalent protons in hydrogen bond pairs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smedarchina, Zorka; Siebrand, Willem; Fernández-Ramos, Antonio

2018-03-01

A theoretical study is reported of a system of two identical symmetric hydrogen bonds, weakly coupled such that the two mobile protons can move either separately (stepwise) or together (concerted). It is modeled by two equivalent quartic potentials interacting through dipolar and quadrupolar coupling terms. The tunneling Hamiltonian has two imaginary modes (reaction coordinates) and a potential with a single maximum that may turn into a saddle-point of second order and two sets of (inequivalent) minima. Diagonalization is achieved via a modified Jacobi-Davidson algorithm. From this Hamiltonian the mechanism of proton transfer is derived. To find out whether the two protons move stepwise or concerted, a new tool is introduced, based on the distribution of the probability flux in the dividing plane of the transfer mode. While stepwise transfer dominates for very weak coupling, it is found that concerted transfer (co-tunneling) always occurs, even when the coupling vanishes since the symmetry of the Hamiltonian imposes permanent entanglement on the motions of the two protons. We quantify this entanglement and show that, for a wide range of parameters of interest, the lowest pair of states of the Hamiltonian represents a perfect example of highly entangled quantum states in continuous variables. The method is applied to the molecule porphycene for which the observed tunneling splitting is calculated in satisfactory agreement with experiment, and the mechanism of double-proton tunneling is found to be predominantly concerted. We show that, under normal conditions, when they are in the ground state, the two porphycene protons are highly entangled, which may have interesting applications. The treatment also identifies the conditions under which such a system can be handled by conventional one-instanton techniques.

Quantum Yields of Soluble and Particulate Material in the Ocean

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-09-30

and prospects. IEEE Transactions, 46(5): 825-829 In Press Moisan, T.A. & B.G. Mitchell UV Absorption by Mycosporine - like Amino Acids in Phaeocystis...were grown to evaluate the spectral quantum yield of in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence. We determined that mycosporine amino acids with UV absorption...evaluate the role of photoprotective pigments, including mycosporine amino acids and the xanthophyll pigments in Phaeocystis, on the spectral quantum yield

A new and trustworthy formalism to compute entropy in quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ansari, Mohammad

Entropy is nonlinear in density matrix and as such its evaluation in open quantum system has not been fully understood. Recently a quantum formalism was proposed by Ansari and Nazarov that evaluates entropy using parallel time evolutions of multiple worlds. We can use this formalism to evaluate entropy flow in a photovoltaic cells coupled to thermal reservoirs and cavity modes. Recently we studied the full counting statistics of energy transfers in such systems. This rigorously proves a nontrivial correspondence between energy exchanges and entropy changes in quantum systems, which only in systems without entanglement can be simplified to the textbook second law of thermodynamics. We evaluate the flow of entropy using this formalism. In the presence of entanglement, however, interestingly much less information is exchanged than what we expected. This increases the upper limit capacity for information transfer and its conversion to energy for next generation devices in mesoscopic physics.

Symmetric quantum fully homomorphic encryption with perfect security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Min

2013-12-01

Suppose some data have been encrypted, can you compute with the data without decrypting them? This problem has been studied as homomorphic encryption and blind computing. We consider this problem in the context of quantum information processing, and present the definitions of quantum homomorphic encryption (QHE) and quantum fully homomorphic encryption (QFHE). Then, based on quantum one-time pad (QOTP), we construct a symmetric QFHE scheme, where the evaluate algorithm depends on the secret key. This scheme permits any unitary transformation on any -qubit state that has been encrypted. Compared with classical homomorphic encryption, the QFHE scheme has perfect security. Finally, we also construct a QOTP-based symmetric QHE scheme, where the evaluate algorithm is independent of the secret key.

Quantum regression theorem and non-Markovianity of quantum dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guarnieri, Giacomo; Smirne, Andrea; Vacchini, Bassano

2014-08-01

We explore the connection between two recently introduced notions of non-Markovian quantum dynamics and the validity of the so-called quantum regression theorem. While non-Markovianity of a quantum dynamics has been defined looking at the behavior in time of the statistical operator, which determines the evolution of mean values, the quantum regression theorem makes statements about the behavior of system correlation functions of order two and higher. The comparison relies on an estimate of the validity of the quantum regression hypothesis, which can be obtained exactly evaluating two-point correlation functions. To this aim we consider a qubit undergoing dephasing due to interaction with a bosonic bath, comparing the exact evaluation of the non-Markovianity measures with the violation of the quantum regression theorem for a class of spectral densities. We further study a photonic dephasing model, recently exploited for the experimental measurement of non-Markovianity. It appears that while a non-Markovian dynamics according to either definition brings with itself violation of the regression hypothesis, even Markovian dynamics can lead to a failure of the regression relation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weinstein, Marvin; /SLAC

It is apparent to anyone who thinks about it that, to a large degree, the basic concepts of Newtonian physics are quite intuitive, but quantum mechanics is not. My purpose in this talk is to introduce you to a new, much more intuitive way to understand how quantum mechanics works. I begin with an incredibly easy way to derive the time evolution of a Gaussian wave-packet for the case free and harmonic motion without any need to know the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian. This discussion is completely analytic and I will later use it to relate the solution for themore » behavior of the Gaussian packet to the Feynman path-integral and stationary phase approximation. It will be clear that using the information about the evolution of the Gaussian in this way goes far beyond what the stationary phase approximation tells us. Next, I introduce the concept of the bucket brigade approach to dealing with problems that cannot be handled totally analytically. This approach combines the intuition obtained in the initial discussion, as well as the intuition obtained from the path-integral, with simple numerical tools. My goal is to show that, for any specific process, there is a simple Hilbert space interpretation of the stationary phase approximation. I will then argue that, from the point of view of numerical approximations, the trajectory obtained from my generalization of the stationary phase approximation specifies that subspace of the full Hilbert space that is needed to compute the time evolution of the particular state under the full Hamiltonian. The prescription I will give is totally non-perturbative and we will see, by the grace of Maple animations computed for the case of the anharmonic oscillator Hamiltonian, that this approach allows surprisingly accurate computations to be performed with very little work. I think of this approach to the path-integral as defining what I call a guided numerical approximation scheme. After the discussion of the anharmonic oscillator I will turn to tunneling problems and show that the instanton can also be though of in the same way. I will do this for the classic problem of a double well potential in the extreme limit when the splitting between the two lowest levels is extremely small and the tunneling rate from one well to another is also very small.« less

An adaptive quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics method for the infrared spectrum of water: incorporation of the quantum effect between solute and solvent.

PubMed

Watanabe, Hiroshi C; Banno, Misa; Sakurai, Minoru

2016-03-14

Quantum effects in solute-solvent interactions, such as the many-body effect and the dipole-induced dipole, are known to be critical factors influencing the infrared spectra of species in the liquid phase. For accurate spectrum evaluation, the surrounding solvent molecules, in addition to the solute of interest, should be treated using a quantum mechanical method. However, conventional quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods cannot handle free QM solvent molecules during molecular dynamics (MD) simulation because of the diffusion problem. To deal with this problem, we have previously proposed an adaptive QM/MM "size-consistent multipartitioning (SCMP) method". In the present study, as the first application of the SCMP method, we demonstrate the reproduction of the infrared spectrum of liquid-phase water, and evaluate the quantum effect in comparison with conventional QM/MM simulations.

Black hole attractors and gauge theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Lisa Li Fang

2007-12-01

This thesis is devoted to the study of supersymmetric black holes that arise from string compactifications. We begin by studying the R 2 corrections to the entropy of two solutions of five dimensional supergravity, the supersymmetric black ring and the spinning black hole. Using Wald's formula we compute the R2 corrections to the entropy of the black ring and BMPV black hole. We study N D4-branes wrapping a 4 cycle and M DO-branes on the quintic. For N D4-branes, we resolve the naive mismatch between the moduli space of the Higgs branch of the gauge theory and the moduli of a degree N hypersurface which the D4-brane wraps. The degree N surface must admit a holomorphic divisor and is a determinantal variety. Adding a single DO brane to probe the deformed geometry, we recover the determinant equation from F and D flatness condition which was previously discovered from a classical geometry approach. We next generalize the qunitic story for Calabi-Yau manifolds arising from complete intersections in toric varieties. We recover the moduli space of N D4-branes in terms of the moduli space of a U( N) x U(N) gauge theory with bi-fundamentals com ing from a D6 - D6 system. We also recast the tachyon condensation of the D6 - D6 system in the language of open string gauged linear sigma model. We obtain the determinant equation from F-term constraints arising from a boundary coupling. We set out to understand the Ooguri-Strominger-Vafa conjecture directly in the D4-DO black hole attractor geometry. We show that the lift to the euclidean IIA attractor geometry gives a complexified M-theory geometry whose asymptotic boundary is a torus. Employing AdS3/CFT 2 duality, we argue that the string partition function computes the elliptic genus of the Maldacena-Strominger-Witten conformal field theory. We evaluate the IIA partition function using the Green-Schwarz formalism and show that it gives ZtopZ top, coming from instantons and anti-instantons respectively. Finally, we determine the spectrum of free, large N, SU( N) Yang Mills theory on S3 by decomposing its thermal partition function into characters of the irreducible representations of the conformal group SO(4, 2).

Unambiguous quantum-state filtering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takeoka, Masahiro; Sasaki, Masahide; CREST, Japan Science and Technology Corporation, Tokyo,

2003-07-01

In this paper, we consider a generalized measurement where one particular quantum signal is unambiguously extracted from a set of noncommutative quantum signals and the other signals are filtered out. Simple expressions for the maximum detection probability and its positive operator valued measure are derived. We apply such unambiguous quantum state filtering to evaluation of the sensing of decoherence channels. The bounds of the precision limit for a given quantum state of probes and possible device implementations are discussed.

Multiple-state quantum Otto engine, 1D box system

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Latifah, E., E-mail: enylatifah@um.ac.id; Purwanto, A.

2014-03-24

Quantum heat engines produce work using quantum matter as their working substance. We studied adiabatic and isochoric processes and defined the general force according to quantum system. The processes and general force are used to evaluate a quantum Otto engine based on multiple-state of one dimensional box system and calculate the efficiency. As a result, the efficiency depends on the ratio of initial and final width of system under adiabatic processes.

Implementing quantum Ricci curvature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klitgaard, N.; Loll, R.

2018-05-01

Quantum Ricci curvature has been introduced recently as a new, geometric observable characterizing the curvature properties of metric spaces, without the need for a smooth structure. Besides coordinate invariance, its key features are scalability, computability, and robustness. We demonstrate that these properties continue to hold in the context of nonperturbative quantum gravity, by evaluating the quantum Ricci curvature numerically in two-dimensional Euclidean quantum gravity, defined in terms of dynamical triangulations. Despite the well-known, highly nonclassical properties of the underlying quantum geometry, its Ricci curvature can be matched well to that of a five-dimensional round sphere.

Remote preparation of an atomic quantum memory.

PubMed

Rosenfeld, Wenjamin; Berner, Stefan; Volz, Jürgen; Weber, Markus; Weinfurter, Harald

2007-02-02

Storage and distribution of quantum information are key elements of quantum information processing and future quantum communication networks. Here, using atom-photon entanglement as the main physical resource, we experimentally demonstrate the preparation of a distant atomic quantum memory. Applying a quantum teleportation protocol on a locally prepared state of a photonic qubit, we realized this so-called remote state preparation on a single, optically trapped 87Rb atom. We evaluated the performance of this scheme by the full tomography of the prepared atomic state, reaching an average fidelity of 82%.

An efficient quantum circuit analyser on qubits and qudits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loke, T.; Wang, J. B.

2011-10-01

This paper presents a highly efficient decomposition scheme and its associated Mathematica notebook for the analysis of complicated quantum circuits comprised of single/multiple qubit and qudit quantum gates. In particular, this scheme reduces the evaluation of multiple unitary gate operations with many conditionals to just two matrix additions, regardless of the number of conditionals or gate dimensions. This improves significantly the capability of a quantum circuit analyser implemented in a classical computer. This is also the first efficient quantum circuit analyser to include qudit quantum logic gates.

An orientation analysis method for protein immobilized on quantum dot particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoyagi, Satoka; Inoue, Masae

2009-11-01

The evaluation of orientation of biomolecules immobilized on nanodevices is crucial for the development of high performance devices. Such analysis requires ultra high sensitivity so as to be able to detect less than one molecular layer on a device. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) has sufficient sensitivity to evaluate the uppermost surface structure of a single molecular layer. The objective of this study is to develop an orientation analysis method for proteins immobilized on nanomaterials such as quantum dot particles, and to evaluate the orientation of streptavidin immobilized on quantum dot particles by means of TOF-SIMS. In order to detect fragment ions specific to the protein surface, a monoatomic primary ion source (Ga +) and a cluster ion source (Au 3+) were employed. Streptavidin-immobilized quantum dot particles were immobilized on aminosilanized ITO glass plates at amino groups by covalent bonding. The reference samples streptavidin directly immobilized on ITO plates were also prepared. All samples were dried with a freeze dryer before TOF-SIMS measurement. The positive secondary ion spectra of each sample were obtained using TOF-SIMS with Ga + and Au 3+, respectively, and then they were compared so as to characterize each sample and detect the surface structure of the streptavidin immobilized with the biotin-immobilized quantum dots. The chemical structures of the upper surface of the streptavidin molecules immobilized on the quantum dot particles were evaluated with TOF-SIMS spectra analysis. The indicated surface side of the streptavidin molecules immobilized on the quantum dots includes the biotin binding site.

One-Way Deficit and Quantum Phase Transitions in XX Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yao-Kun; Zhang, Yu-Ran

2018-02-01

Quantum correlations including entanglement and quantum discord have drawn much attention in characterizing quantum phase transitions. Quantum deficit originates in questions regarding work extraction from quantum systems coupled to a heat bath (Oppenheim et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 180402, 2002). It links quantum thermodynamics with quantum correlations and provides a new standpoint for understanding quantum non-locality. In this paper, we evaluate the one-way deficit of two adjacent spins in the bulk for the XX model. In the thermodynamic limit, the XX model undergoes a first order transition from fully polarized to a critical phase with quasi-long-range order with decrease of quantum parameter. We find that the one-way deficit becomes nonzero after the critical point. Therefore, the one-way deficit characterizes the quantum phase transition in the XX model.

Developing and assessing research-based tools for teaching quantum mechanics and thermodynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Benjamin R.

Research-based tools to educate college students in physics courses from introductory level to graduate level are essential for helping students with a diverse set of goals and backgrounds learn physics. This thesis explores issues related to student common difficulties with some topics in undergraduate quantum mechanics and thermodynamics courses. Student difficulties in learning quantum mechanics and thermodynamics are investigated by administering written tests and surveys to many classes and conducting individual interviews with a subset of students outside the class to unpack the cognitive mechanisms of the difficulties. The quantum mechanics research also focuses on using the research on student difficulties for the development and evaluation of a Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial (QuILT) to help students learn about the time-dependence of expectation values using the context of Larmor precession of spin and evaluating the role of asking students to self-diagnose their mistakes on midterm examination on their performance on subsequent problem solving. The QuILT on Larmor precession of spin has both paper-pencil activities and a simulation component to help students learn these foundational issues in quantum mechanics. Preliminary evaluations suggest that the QuILT, which strives to help students build a robust knowledge structure of time-dependence of expectation values in quantum mechanics using a guided approach, is successful in helping students learn these topics in the junior-senior level quantum mechanics courses. The technique to help upper-level students in quantum mechanics courses effectively engage in the process of learning from their mistakes is also found to be effective. In particular, research shows that the self-diagnosis activity in upper-level quantum mechanics significantly helps students who are struggling and this activity can reduce the gap between the high and low achieving students on subsequent problem solving. Finally, a survey of Thermodynamic Processes and the First and Second Laws (STPFaSL) is developed and validated with the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of these topics in a thermodynamics curriculum. The validity and reliability of this survey are discussed and the student difficulties with these topics among various groups from introductory students to physics graduate students are cataloged.

Tightening Quantum Speed Limits for Almost All States.

PubMed

Campaioli, Francesco; Pollock, Felix A; Binder, Felix C; Modi, Kavan

2018-02-09

Conventional quantum speed limits perform poorly for mixed quantum states: They are generally not tight and often significantly underestimate the fastest possible evolution speed. To remedy this, for unitary driving, we derive two quantum speed limits that outperform the traditional bounds for almost all quantum states. Moreover, our bounds are significantly simpler to compute as well as experimentally more accessible. Our bounds have a clear geometric interpretation; they arise from the evaluation of the angle between generalized Bloch vectors.

The effect of nanoparticle degradation on amphiphilic polymer-coated quantum dot toxicity: the importance of particle functionality assessment in toxicology [corrected].

PubMed

Soenen, Stefaan J; Montenegro, José-Maria; Abdelmonem, Abuelmagd M; Manshian, Bella B; Doak, Shareen H; Parak, Wolfgang J; De Smedt, Stefaan C; Braeckmans, Kevin

2014-02-01

Colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots) have attracted a lot of interest in technological and biomedical research, given their potent fluorescent properties. However, the use of heavy-metal-containing nanoparticles remains an issue of debate. The possible toxic effects of quantum dots remain a hot research topic and several questions such as possible intracellular degradation of quantum dots and the effect thereof on both cell viability and particle functionality remain unresolved. In the present work, amphiphilic polymer [corrected] coated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots were synthesized and characterized, after which their effects on cultured cells were evaluated using a multiparametric setup. The data reveal that the quantum dots are taken up through endocytosis and when exposed to the low pH of the endosomal structures, they partially degrade and release cadmium ions, which lowers their fluorescence intensity and augments particle toxicity. Using the multiparametric method, the quantum dots were evaluated at non-toxic doses in terms of their ability to visualize labeled cells for longer time periods. The data revealed that comparing different particles in terms of their applied dose is challenging, likely due to difficulties in obtaining accurate nanoparticle concentrations, but evaluating particle toxicity in terms of their biological functionality enables an easy and straightforward comparison. Copyright © 2013 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reliable semiclassical computations in QCD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dine, Michael; Department of Physics, Stanford University Stanford, California 94305-4060; Festuccia, Guido

We revisit the question of whether or not one can perform reliable semiclassical QCD computations at zero temperature. We study correlation functions with no perturbative contributions, and organize the problem by means of the operator product expansion, establishing a precise criterion for the validity of a semiclassical calculation. For N{sub f}>N, a systematic computation is possible; for N{sub f}

Beta functions in Chirally deformed supersymmetric sigma models in two dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vainshtein, Arkady

2016-10-01

We study two-dimensional sigma models where the chiral deformation diminished the original 𝒩 = (2, 2) supersymmetry to the chiral one, 𝒩 = (0, 2). Such heterotic models were discovered previously on the world sheet of non-Abelian stringy solitons supported by certain four-dimensional 𝒩 = 1 theories. We study geometric aspects and holomorphic properties of these models, and derive a number of exact expressions for the β functions in terms of the anomalous dimensions analogous to the NSVZ β function in four-dimensional Yang-Mills. Instanton calculus provides a straightforward method for the derivation.

Beta Functions in Chirally Deformed Supersymmetric Sigma Models in Two Dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vainshtein, Arkady

We study two-dimensional sigma models where the chiral deformation diminished the original 𝒩 =(2, 2) supersymmetry to the chiral one, 𝒩 =(0, 2). Such heterotic models were discovered previously on the world sheet of non-Abelian stringy solitons supported by certain four-dimensional 𝒩 = 1 theories. We study geometric aspects and holomorphic properties of these models, and derive a number of exact expressions for the β functions in terms of the anomalous dimensions analogous to the NSVZ β function in four-dimensional Yang-Mills. Instanton calculus provides a straightforward method for the derivation.

Sauter-Schwinger pair creation dynamically assisted by a plane wave

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torgrimsson, Greger; Schneider, Christian; Schützhold, Ralf

2018-05-01

We study electron-positron pair creation by a strong and constant electric field superimposed with a weaker transversal plane wave which is incident perpendicularly (or under some angle). Comparing the fully nonperturbative approach based on the world-line instanton method with a perturbative expansion into powers of the strength of the weaker plane wave, we find good agreement—provided that the latter is carried out to sufficiently high orders. As usual for the dynamically assisted Sauter-Schwinger effect, the additional plane wave induces an exponential enhancement of the pair-creation probability if the combined Keldysh parameter exceeds a certain threshold.

Geometric measure of pairwise quantum discord for superpositions of multipartite generalized coherent states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daoud, M.; Ahl Laamara, R.

2012-07-01

We give the explicit expressions of the pairwise quantum correlations present in superpositions of multipartite coherent states. A special attention is devoted to the evaluation of the geometric quantum discord. The dynamics of quantum correlations under a dephasing channel is analyzed. A comparison of geometric measure of quantum discord with that of concurrence shows that quantum discord in multipartite coherent states is more resilient to dissipative environments than is quantum entanglement. To illustrate our results, we consider some special superpositions of Weyl-Heisenberg, SU(2) and SU(1,1) coherent states which interpolate between Werner and Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger states.

Quantum discord of two-qubit X states

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen Qing; Yu Sixia; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale and Department of Modern Physics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026 Anhui

Quantum discord provides a measure for quantifying quantum correlations beyond entanglement and is very hard to compute even for two-qubit states because of the minimization over all possible measurements. Recently a simple algorithm to evaluate the quantum discord for two-qubit X states was proposed by Ali, Rau, and Alber [Phys. Rev. A 81, 042105 (2010)] with minimization taken over only a few cases. Here we shall at first identify a class of X states, whose quantum discord can be evaluated analytically without any minimization, for which their algorithm is valid, and also identify a family of X states for whichmore » their algorithm fails. And then we demonstrate that this special family of X states provides furthermore an explicit example for the inequivalence between the minimization over positive operator-valued measures and that over von Neumann measurements.« less

Quantum ensembles of quantum classifiers.

PubMed

Schuld, Maria; Petruccione, Francesco

2018-02-09

Quantum machine learning witnesses an increasing amount of quantum algorithms for data-driven decision making, a problem with potential applications ranging from automated image recognition to medical diagnosis. Many of those algorithms are implementations of quantum classifiers, or models for the classification of data inputs with a quantum computer. Following the success of collective decision making with ensembles in classical machine learning, this paper introduces the concept of quantum ensembles of quantum classifiers. Creating the ensemble corresponds to a state preparation routine, after which the quantum classifiers are evaluated in parallel and their combined decision is accessed by a single-qubit measurement. This framework naturally allows for exponentially large ensembles in which - similar to Bayesian learning - the individual classifiers do not have to be trained. As an example, we analyse an exponentially large quantum ensemble in which each classifier is weighed according to its performance in classifying the training data, leading to new results for quantum as well as classical machine learning.

Observable measure of quantum coherence in finite dimensional systems.

PubMed

Girolami, Davide

2014-10-24

Quantum coherence is the key resource for quantum technology, with applications in quantum optics, information processing, metrology, and cryptography. Yet, there is no universally efficient method for quantifying coherence either in theoretical or in experimental practice. I introduce a framework for measuring quantum coherence in finite dimensional systems. I define a theoretical measure which satisfies the reliability criteria established in the context of quantum resource theories. Then, I present an experimental scheme implementable with current technology which evaluates the quantum coherence of an unknown state of a d-dimensional system by performing two programmable measurements on an ancillary qubit, in place of the O(d2) direct measurements required by full state reconstruction. The result yields a benchmark for monitoring quantum effects in complex systems, e.g., certifying nonclassicality in quantum protocols and probing the quantum behavior of biological complexes.

Temporal Planning for Compilation of Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm Circuits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venturelli, Davide; Do, Minh Binh; Rieffel, Eleanor Gilbert; Frank, Jeremy David

2017-01-01

We investigate the application of temporal planners to the problem of compiling quantum circuits to newly emerging quantum hardware. While our approach is general, we focus our initial experiments on Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) circuits that have few ordering constraints and allow highly parallel plans. We report on experiments using several temporal planners to compile circuits of various sizes to a realistic hardware. This early empirical evaluation suggests that temporal planning is a viable approach to quantum circuit compilation.

Quantum exhaustive key search with simplified-DES as a case study.

PubMed

Almazrooie, Mishal; Samsudin, Azman; Abdullah, Rosni; Mutter, Kussay N

2016-01-01

To evaluate the security of a symmetric cryptosystem against any quantum attack, the symmetric algorithm must be first implemented on a quantum platform. In this study, a quantum implementation of a classical block cipher is presented. A quantum circuit for a classical block cipher of a polynomial size of quantum gates is proposed. The entire work has been tested on a quantum mechanics simulator called libquantum. First, the functionality of the proposed quantum cipher is verified and the experimental results are compared with those of the original classical version. Then, quantum attacks are conducted by using Grover's algorithm to recover the secret key. The proposed quantum cipher is used as a black box for the quantum search. The quantum oracle is then queried over the produced ciphertext to mark the quantum state, which consists of plaintext and key qubits. The experimental results show that for a key of n-bit size and key space of N such that [Formula: see text], the key can be recovered in [Formula: see text] computational steps.

[Definition of quantum efficiency of X-ray detectors].

PubMed

Zelikman, M I

2001-01-01

Different definitions available in the literature on the quantum efficiency of X-ray detectors are presented and compared. The relationship of this parameter to spatial frequencies for quantum accounting receivers and energy accumulating ones is analyzed. A procedure is proposed for evaluating the quantum efficiency of the detectors in the area of zero spatial frequencies, which is rather simple and requires no special testing equipment.

The network impact of hijacking a quantum repeater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Satoh, Takahiko; Nagayama, Shota; Oka, Takafumi; Van Meter, Rodney

2018-07-01

In quantum networking, repeater hijacking menaces the security and utility of quantum applications. To deal with this problem, it is important to take a measure of the impact of quantum repeater hijacking. First, we quantify the work of each quantum repeater with regards to each quantum communication. Based on this, we show the costs for repeater hijacking detection using distributed quantum state tomography and the amount of work loss and rerouting penalties caused by hijacking. This quantitative evaluation covers both purification-entanglement swapping and quantum error correction repeater networks. Naive implementation of the checks necessary for correct network operation can be subverted by a single hijacker to bring down an entire network. Fortunately, the simple fix of randomly assigned testing can prevent such an attack.

Robust Learning Control Design for Quantum Unitary Transformations.

PubMed

Wu, Chengzhi; Qi, Bo; Chen, Chunlin; Dong, Daoyi

2017-12-01

Robust control design for quantum unitary transformations has been recognized as a fundamental and challenging task in the development of quantum information processing due to unavoidable decoherence or operational errors in the experimental implementation of quantum operations. In this paper, we extend the systematic methodology of sampling-based learning control (SLC) approach with a gradient flow algorithm for the design of robust quantum unitary transformations. The SLC approach first uses a "training" process to find an optimal control strategy robust against certain ranges of uncertainties. Then a number of randomly selected samples are tested and the performance is evaluated according to their average fidelity. The approach is applied to three typical examples of robust quantum transformation problems including robust quantum transformations in a three-level quantum system, in a superconducting quantum circuit, and in a spin chain system. Numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the SLC approach and show its potential applications in various implementation of quantum unitary transformations.

Developing and Evaluating Animations for Teaching Quantum Mechanics Concepts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kohnle, Antje; Douglass, Margaret; Edwards, Tom J.; Gillies, Alastair D.; Hooley, Christopher A.; Sinclair, Bruce D.

2010-01-01

In this paper, we describe animations and animated visualizations for introductory and intermediate-level quantum mechanics instruction developed at the University of St Andrews. The animations aim to help students build mental representations of quantum mechanics concepts. They focus on known areas of student difficulty and misconceptions by…

Revealing a quantum feature of dimensionless uncertainty in linear and quadratic potentials by changing potential intervals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kheiri, R.

2016-09-01

As an undergraduate exercise, in an article (2012 Am. J. Phys. 80 780-14), quantum and classical uncertainties for dimensionless variables of position and momentum were evaluated in three potentials: infinite well, bouncing ball, and harmonic oscillator. While original quantum uncertainty products depend on {{\\hslash }} and the number of states (n), a dimensionless approach makes the comparison between quantum uncertainty and classical dispersion possible by excluding {{\\hslash }}. But the question is whether the uncertainty still remains dependent on quantum number n. In the above-mentioned article, there lies this contrast; on the one hand, the dimensionless quantum uncertainty of the potential box approaches classical dispersion only in the limit of large quantum numbers (n\\to ∞ )—consistent with the correspondence principle. On the other hand, similar evaluations for bouncing ball and harmonic oscillator potentials are equal to their classical counterparts independent of n. This equality may hide the quantum feature of low energy levels. In the current study, we change the potential intervals in order to make them symmetric for the linear potential and non-symmetric for the quadratic potential. As a result, it is shown in this paper that the dimensionless quantum uncertainty of these potentials in the new potential intervals is expressed in terms of quantum number n. In other words, the uncertainty requires the correspondence principle in order to approach the classical limit. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dimensionless analysis, as a useful pedagogical method, does not take away the quantum feature of the n-dependence of quantum uncertainty in general. Moreover, our numerical calculations include the higher powers of the position for the potentials.

Exact partition functions for deformed N=2 theories with N_f=4 flavours

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beccaria, Matteo; Fachechi, Alberto; Macorini, Guido; Martina, Luigi

2016-12-01

We consider the Ω-deformed N=2 SU(2) gauge theory in four dimensions with N f = 4 massive fundamental hypermultiplets. The low energy effective action depends on the deformation parameters ɛ 1 , ɛ 2, the scalar field expectation value a, and the hypermultiplet masses m = ( m 1 , m 2 , m 3 , m 4). Motivated by recent findings in the N={2}^{*} theory, we explore the theories that are characterized by special fixed ratios ɛ 2 /ɛ 1 and m /ɛ 1 and propose a simple condition on the structure of the multi-instanton contributions to the prepotential determining the effective action. This condition determines a finite set Π N of special points such that the prepotential has N poles at fixed positions independent on the instanton number. In analogy with what happens in the N={2}^{*} gauge theory, the full prepotential of the Π N theories may be given in closed form as an explicit function of a and the modular parameter q appearing in special combinations of Eisenstein series and Jacobi theta functions with well defined modular properties. The resulting finite pole partition functions are related by AGT correspondence to special 4-point spherical conformal blocks of the Virasoro algebra. We examine in full details special cases where the closed expression of the block is known and confirms our Ansatz. We systematically study the special features of Zamolodchikov's recursion for the Π N conformal blocks. As a result, we provide a novel effective recursion relation that can be exactly solved and allows to prove the conjectured closed expressions analytically in the case of the Π1 and Π2 conformal blocks.

Universal vertex-IRF transformation for quantum affine algebras

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Buffenoir, E.; Roche, Ph.; Terras, V.

2012-10-15

We construct a universal solution of the generalized coboundary equation in the case of quantum affine algebras, which is an extension of our previous work to U{sub q}(A{sub r}{sup (1)}). This universal solution has a simple Gauss decomposition which is constructed using Sevostyanov's characters of twisted quantum Borel algebras. We show that in the evaluation representations it gives a vertex-face transformation between a vertex type solution and a face type solution of the quantum dynamical Yang-Baxter equation. In particular, in the evaluation representation of U{sub q}(A{sub 1}{sup (1)}), it gives Baxter's well-known transformation between the 8-vertex model and the interaction-round-facesmore » (IRF) height model.« less

Multistate and multihypothesis discrimination with open quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiilerich, Alexander Holm; Mølmer, Klaus

2018-05-01

We show how an upper bound for the ability to discriminate any number N of candidates for the Hamiltonian governing the evolution of an open quantum system may be calculated by numerically efficient means. Our method applies an effective master-equation analysis to evaluate the pairwise overlaps between candidate full states of the system and its environment pertaining to the Hamiltonians. These overlaps are then used to construct an N -dimensional representation of the states. The optimal positive-operator valued measure (POVM) and the corresponding probability of assigning a false hypothesis may subsequently be evaluated by phrasing optimal discrimination of multiple nonorthogonal quantum states as a semidefinite programming problem. We provide three realistic examples of multihypothesis testing with open quantum systems.

Super-quantum correlation for SU(2) invariant state in 4⊗ 2 system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Lin-Song; Tao, Yuan-Hong; Nan, Hua; Xu, Hui

2018-04-01

We analytically evaluate the weak one-way deficit and super-quantum discord for a system composed of spin-3/2 and spin-1/2 subsystems possessing SU(2) symmetry. We also make a comparative study of the relationships among the quantum discord, one-way deficit, weak one-way deficit, and super-quantum discord for the SU(2) invariant state. It is shown that super-quantum discord via weak measurement is greater than that via von Neumann measurement. But weak one-way deficit is less than the one-way deficit. As a result, weak measurement do not always reveal more quantumness.

Evaluation of holonomic quantum computation: adiabatic versus nonadiabatic.

PubMed

Cen, LiXiang; Li, XinQi; Yan, YiJing; Zheng, HouZhi; Wang, ShunJin

2003-04-11

Based on the analytical solution to the time-dependent Schrödinger equations, we evaluate the holonomic quantum computation beyond the adiabatic limit. Besides providing rigorous confirmation of the geometrical prediction of holonomies, the present dynamical resolution offers also a practical means to study the nonadiabaticity induced effects for the universal qubit operations.

Explicit expressions of quantum mechanical rotation operators for spins 1 to 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kocakoç, Mehpeyker, E-mail: mkocakoc@cu.edu.tr; Tapramaz, Recep, E-mail: recept@omu.edu.tr

2016-03-25

Quantum mechanical rotation operators are the subject of quantum mechanics, mathematics and pulsed magnetic resonance spectroscopies, namely NMR, EPR and ENDOR. They are also necessary for spin based quantum information systems. The rotation operators of spin 1/2 are well known and can be found in related textbooks. But rotation operators of other spins greater than 1/2 can be found numerically by evaluating the series expansions of exponential operator obtained from Schrödinger equation, or by evaluating Wigner-d formula or by evaluating recently established expressions in polynomial forms discussed in the text. In this work, explicit symbolic expressions of x, y andmore » z components of rotation operators for spins 1 to 2 are worked out by evaluating series expansion of exponential operator for each element of operators and utilizing linear curve fitting process. The procedures gave out exact expressions of each element of the rotation operators. The operators of spins greater than 2 are under study and will be published in a separate paper.« less

Evaluation of polarization mode dispersion in a telecommunication wavelength selective switch using quantum interferometry.

PubMed

Fraine, A; Minaeva, O; Simon, D S; Egorov, R; Sergienko, A V

2012-01-30

A polarization mode dispersion (PMD) measurement of a commercial telecommunication wavelength selective switch (WSS) using a quantum interferometric technique with polarization-entangled states is presented. Polarization-entangled photons with a broad spectral width covering the telecom band are produced using a chirped periodically poled nonlinear crystal. The first demonstration of a quantum metrology application using an industrial commercial device shows a promising future for practical high-resolution quantum interference.

Probing University Students' Pre-Knowledge in Quantum Physics with QPCS Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asikainen, Mervi A.

2017-01-01

The study investigated the use of Quantum Physics Conceptual Survey (QPCS) in probing student understanding of quantum physics. Altogether 103 Finnish university students responded to QPCS. The mean scores of the student responses were calculated and the test was evaluated using common five indices: Item difficulty index, Item discrimination…

Improving Students' Understanding of Quantum Measurement. II. Development of Research-Based Learning Tools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhu, Guangtian; Singh, Chandralekha

2012-01-01

We describe the development and implementation of research-based learning tools such as the Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorials and peer-instruction tools to reduce students' common difficulties with issues related to measurement in quantum mechanics. A preliminary evaluation shows that these learning tools are effective in improving students'…

Fuzzy Matching Based on Gray-scale Difference for Quantum Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, GaoFeng; Zhou, Ri-Gui; Liu, XingAo; Hu, WenWen; Luo, Jia

2018-05-01

Quantum image processing has recently emerged as an essential problem in practical tasks, e.g. real-time image matching. Previous studies have shown that the superposition and entanglement of quantum can greatly improve the efficiency of complex image processing. In this paper, a fuzzy quantum image matching scheme based on gray-scale difference is proposed to find out the target region in a reference image, which is very similar to the template image. Firstly, we employ the proposed enhanced quantum representation (NEQR) to store digital images. Then some certain quantum operations are used to evaluate the gray-scale difference between two quantum images by thresholding. If all of the obtained gray-scale differences are not greater than the threshold value, it indicates a successful fuzzy matching of quantum images. Theoretical analysis and experiments show that the proposed scheme performs fuzzy matching at a low cost and also enables exponentially significant speedup via quantum parallel computation.

Limited Quantum Helium Transportation through Nano-channels by Quantum Fluctuation

PubMed Central

Ohba, Tomonori

2016-01-01

Helium at low temperatures has unique quantum properties such as superfluidity, which causes it to behave differently from a classical fluid. Despite our deep understanding of quantum mechanics, there are many open questions concerning the properties of quantum fluids in nanoscale systems. Herein, the quantum behavior of helium transportation through one-dimensional nanopores was evaluated by measuring the adsorption of quantum helium in the nanopores of single-walled carbon nanohorns and AlPO4-5 at 2–5 K. Quantum helium was transported unimpeded through nanopores larger than 0.7 nm in diameter, whereas quantum helium transportation was significantly restricted through 0.4-nm and 0.6-nm nanopores. Conversely, nitrogen molecules diffused through the 0.4-nm nanopores at 77 K. Therefore, quantum helium behaved as a fluid comprising atoms larger than 0.4–0.6 nm. This phenomenon was remarkable, considering that helium is the smallest existing element with a (classical) size of approximately 0.27 nm. This finding revealed the presence of significant quantum fluctuations. Quantum fluctuation determined the behaviors of quantum flux and is essential to understanding unique quantum behaviors in nanoscale systems. PMID:27363671

What if? Exploring the multiverse through Euclidean wormholes.

PubMed

Bouhmadi-López, Mariam; Krämer, Manuel; Morais, João; Robles-Pérez, Salvador

2017-01-01

We present Euclidean wormhole solutions describing possible bridges within the multiverse. The study is carried out in the framework of third quantisation. The matter content is modelled through a scalar field which supports the existence of a whole collection of universes. The instanton solutions describe Euclidean solutions that connect baby universes with asymptotically de Sitter universes. We compute the tunnelling probability of these processes. Considering the current bounds on the energy scale of inflation and assuming that all the baby universes are nucleated with the same probability, we draw some conclusions about which universes are more likely to tunnel and therefore undergo a standard inflationary era.

What if? Exploring the multiverse through Euclidean wormholes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouhmadi-López, Mariam; Krämer, Manuel; Morais, João; Robles-Pérez, Salvador

2017-10-01

We present Euclidean wormhole solutions describing possible bridges within the multiverse. The study is carried out in the framework of third quantisation. The matter content is modelled through a scalar field which supports the existence of a whole collection of universes. The instanton solutions describe Euclidean solutions that connect baby universes with asymptotically de Sitter universes. We compute the tunnelling probability of these processes. Considering the current bounds on the energy scale of inflation and assuming that all the baby universes are nucleated with the same probability, we draw some conclusions about which universes are more likely to tunnel and therefore undergo a standard inflationary era.

Instantons re-examined: dynamical tunneling and resonant tunneling.

PubMed

Le Deunff, Jérémy; Mouchet, Amaury

2010-04-01

Starting from trace formulas for the tunneling splittings (or decay rates) analytically continued in the complex time domain, we obtain explicit semiclassical expansions in terms of complex trajectories that are selected with appropriate complex-time paths. We show how this instantonlike approach, which takes advantage of an incomplete Wick rotation, accurately reproduces tunneling effects not only in the usual double-well potential but also in situations where a pure Wick rotation is insufficient, for instance dynamical tunneling or resonant tunneling. Even though only one-dimensional autonomous Hamiltonian systems are quantitatively studied, we discuss the relevance of our method for multidimensional and/or chaotic tunneling.

Optimal architectures for long distance quantum communication.

PubMed

Muralidharan, Sreraman; Li, Linshu; Kim, Jungsang; Lütkenhaus, Norbert; Lukin, Mikhail D; Jiang, Liang

2016-02-15

Despite the tremendous progress of quantum cryptography, efficient quantum communication over long distances (≥ 1000 km) remains an outstanding challenge due to fiber attenuation and operation errors accumulated over the entire communication distance. Quantum repeaters (QRs), as a promising approach, can overcome both photon loss and operation errors, and hence significantly speedup the communication rate. Depending on the methods used to correct loss and operation errors, all the proposed QR schemes can be classified into three categories (generations). Here we present the first systematic comparison of three generations of quantum repeaters by evaluating the cost of both temporal and physical resources, and identify the optimized quantum repeater architecture for a given set of experimental parameters for use in quantum key distribution. Our work provides a roadmap for the experimental realizations of highly efficient quantum networks over transcontinental distances.

Optimal architectures for long distance quantum communication

PubMed Central

Muralidharan, Sreraman; Li, Linshu; Kim, Jungsang; Lütkenhaus, Norbert; Lukin, Mikhail D.; Jiang, Liang

2016-01-01

Despite the tremendous progress of quantum cryptography, efficient quantum communication over long distances (≥1000 km) remains an outstanding challenge due to fiber attenuation and operation errors accumulated over the entire communication distance. Quantum repeaters (QRs), as a promising approach, can overcome both photon loss and operation errors, and hence significantly speedup the communication rate. Depending on the methods used to correct loss and operation errors, all the proposed QR schemes can be classified into three categories (generations). Here we present the first systematic comparison of three generations of quantum repeaters by evaluating the cost of both temporal and physical resources, and identify the optimized quantum repeater architecture for a given set of experimental parameters for use in quantum key distribution. Our work provides a roadmap for the experimental realizations of highly efficient quantum networks over transcontinental distances. PMID:26876670

Optimal architectures for long distance quantum communication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muralidharan, Sreraman; Li, Linshu; Kim, Jungsang; Lütkenhaus, Norbert; Lukin, Mikhail D.; Jiang, Liang

2016-02-01

Despite the tremendous progress of quantum cryptography, efficient quantum communication over long distances (≥1000 km) remains an outstanding challenge due to fiber attenuation and operation errors accumulated over the entire communication distance. Quantum repeaters (QRs), as a promising approach, can overcome both photon loss and operation errors, and hence significantly speedup the communication rate. Depending on the methods used to correct loss and operation errors, all the proposed QR schemes can be classified into three categories (generations). Here we present the first systematic comparison of three generations of quantum repeaters by evaluating the cost of both temporal and physical resources, and identify the optimized quantum repeater architecture for a given set of experimental parameters for use in quantum key distribution. Our work provides a roadmap for the experimental realizations of highly efficient quantum networks over transcontinental distances.

Quantum demultiplexer of quantum parameter-estimation information in quantum networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Yanqing; Huang, Yumeng; Wu, Yinzhong; Hao, Xiang

2018-05-01

The quantum demultiplexer is constructed by a series of unitary operators and multipartite entangled states. It is used to realize information broadcasting from an input node to multiple output nodes in quantum networks. The scheme of quantum network communication with respect to phase estimation is put forward through the demultiplexer subjected to amplitude damping noises. The generalized partial measurements can be applied to protect the transferring efficiency from environmental noises in the protocol. It is found out that there are some optimal coherent states which can be prepared to enhance the transmission of phase estimation. The dynamics of state fidelity and quantum Fisher information are investigated to evaluate the feasibility of the network communication. While the state fidelity deteriorates rapidly, the quantum Fisher information can be enhanced to a maximum value and then decreases slowly. The memory effect of the environment induces the oscillations of fidelity and quantum Fisher information. The adjustment of the strength of partial measurements is helpful to increase quantum Fisher information.

Photodetectors for scintillator proportionality measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moses, William W.; Choong, Woon-Seng; Hull, Giulia; Payne, Steve; Cherepy, Nerine; Valentine, John D.

2009-10-01

We evaluate photodetectors for use in a Compton Coincidence apparatus designed for measuring scintillator proportionality. There are many requirements placed on the photodetector in these systems, including active area, linearity, and the ability to accurately measure low light levels (which implies high quantum efficiency and high signal-to-noise ratio). Through a combination of measurement and Monte Carlo simulation, we evaluate a number of potential photodetectors, especially photomultiplier tubes and hybrid photodetectors. Of these, we find that the most promising devices available are photomultiplier tubes with high (˜50%) quantum efficiency, although hybrid photodetectors with high quantum efficiency would be preferable.

Classical Wigner method with an effective quantum force: application to reaction rates.

PubMed

Poulsen, Jens Aage; Li, Huaqing; Nyman, Gunnar

2009-07-14

We construct an effective "quantum force" to be used in the classical molecular dynamics part of the classical Wigner method when determining correlation functions. The quantum force is obtained by estimating the most important short time separation of the Feynman paths that enter into the expression for the correlation function. The evaluation of the force is then as easy as classical potential energy evaluations. The ideas are tested on three reaction rate problems. The resulting transmission coefficients are in much better agreement with accurate results than transmission coefficients from the ordinary classical Wigner method.

Population extinction under bursty reproduction in a time-modulated environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vilk, Ohad; Assaf, Michael

2018-06-01

In recent years nondemographic variability has been shown to greatly affect dynamics of stochastic populations. For example, nondemographic noise in the form of a bursty reproduction process with an a priori unknown burst size, or environmental variability in the form of time-varying reaction rates, have been separately found to dramatically impact the extinction risk of isolated populations. In this work we investigate the extinction risk of an isolated population under the combined influence of these two types of nondemographic variation. Using the so-called momentum-space Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) approach and accounting for the explicit time dependence in the reaction rates, we arrive at a set of time-dependent Hamilton equations. To this end, we evaluate the population's extinction risk by finding the instanton of the time-perturbed Hamiltonian numerically, whereas analytical expressions are presented in particular limits using various perturbation techniques. We focus on two classes of time-varying environments: periodically varying rates corresponding to seasonal effects and a sudden decrease in the birth rate corresponding to a catastrophe. All our theoretical results are tested against numerical Monte Carlo simulations with time-dependent rates and also against a numerical solution of the corresponding time-dependent Hamilton equations.

Performance of quantum annealing on random Ising problems implemented using the D-Wave Two

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhihui; Job, Joshua; Rønnow, Troels F.; Troyer, Matthias; Lidar, Daniel A.; USC Collaboration; ETH Collaboration

2014-03-01

Detecting a possible speedup of quantum annealing compared to classical algorithms is a pressing task in experimental adiabatic quantum computing. In this talk, we discuss the performance of the D-Wave Two quantum annealing device on Ising spin glass problems. The expected time to solution for the device to solve random instances with up to 503 spins and with specified coupling ranges is evaluated while carefully addressing the issue of statistical errors. We perform a systematic comparison of the expected time to solution between the D-Wave Two and classical stochastic solvers, specifically simulated annealing, and simulated quantum annealing based on quantum Monte Carlo, and discuss the question of speedup.

Simple proof of equivalence between adiabatic quantum computation and the circuit model.

PubMed

Mizel, Ari; Lidar, Daniel A; Mitchell, Morgan

2007-08-17

We prove the equivalence between adiabatic quantum computation and quantum computation in the circuit model. An explicit adiabatic computation procedure is given that generates a ground state from which the answer can be extracted. The amount of time needed is evaluated by computing the gap. We show that the procedure is computationally efficient.

Quantum-enhanced reinforcement learning for finite-episode games with discrete state spaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neukart, Florian; Von Dollen, David; Seidel, Christian; Compostella, Gabriele

2017-12-01

Quantum annealing algorithms belong to the class of metaheuristic tools, applicable for solving binary optimization problems. Hardware implementations of quantum annealing, such as the quantum annealing machines produced by D-Wave Systems, have been subject to multiple analyses in research, with the aim of characterizing the technology's usefulness for optimization and sampling tasks. Here, we present a way to partially embed both Monte Carlo policy iteration for finding an optimal policy on random observations, as well as how to embed n sub-optimal state-value functions for approximating an improved state-value function given a policy for finite horizon games with discrete state spaces on a D-Wave 2000Q quantum processing unit (QPU). We explain how both problems can be expressed as a quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problem, and show that quantum-enhanced Monte Carlo policy evaluation allows for finding equivalent or better state-value functions for a given policy with the same number episodes compared to a purely classical Monte Carlo algorithm. Additionally, we describe a quantum-classical policy learning algorithm. Our first and foremost aim is to explain how to represent and solve parts of these problems with the help of the QPU, and not to prove supremacy over every existing classical policy evaluation algorithm.

Towards quantum networks of single spins: analysis of a quantum memory with an optical interface in diamond.

PubMed

Blok, M S; Kalb, N; Reiserer, A; Taminiau, T H; Hanson, R

2015-01-01

Single defect centers in diamond have emerged as a powerful platform for quantum optics experiments and quantum information processing tasks. Connecting spatially separated nodes via optical photons into a quantum network will enable distributed quantum computing and long-range quantum communication. Initial experiments on trapped atoms and ions as well as defects in diamond have demonstrated entanglement between two nodes over several meters. To realize multi-node networks, additional quantum bit systems that store quantum states while new entanglement links are established are highly desirable. Such memories allow for entanglement distillation, purification and quantum repeater protocols that extend the size, speed and distance of the network. However, to be effective, the memory must be robust against the entanglement generation protocol, which typically must be repeated many times. Here we evaluate the prospects of using carbon nuclear spins in diamond as quantum memories that are compatible with quantum networks based on single nitrogen vacancy (NV) defects in diamond. We present a theoretical framework to describe the dephasing of the nuclear spins under repeated generation of NV spin-photon entanglement and show that quantum states can be stored during hundreds of repetitions using typical experimental coupling parameters. This result demonstrates that nuclear spins with weak hyperfine couplings are promising quantum memories for quantum networks.

A Hybrid, Large-Scale Wireless Sensor Network for Real-Time Acquisition and Tracking

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-01

multicolor, Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector ( QWIP ), step-stare, large-format Focal Plane Array (FPA) is proposed and evaluated through performance...Photodetector ( QWIP ), step-stare, large-format Focal Plane Array (FPA) is proposed and evaluated through performance analysis. The thesis proposes...7 1. Multi-color IR Sensors - Operational Advantages ...........................8 2. Quantum-Well IR Photodetector ( QWIP

Cation solvation with quantum chemical effects modeled by a size-consistent multi-partitioning quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics method.

PubMed

Watanabe, Hiroshi C; Kubillus, Maximilian; Kubař, Tomáš; Stach, Robert; Mizaikoff, Boris; Ishikita, Hiroshi

2017-07-21

In the condensed phase, quantum chemical properties such as many-body effects and intermolecular charge fluctuations are critical determinants of the solvation structure and dynamics. Thus, a quantum mechanical (QM) molecular description is required for both solute and solvent to incorporate these properties. However, it is challenging to conduct molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for condensed systems of sufficient scale when adapting QM potentials. To overcome this problem, we recently developed the size-consistent multi-partitioning (SCMP) quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method and realized stable and accurate MD simulations, using the QM potential to a benchmark system. In the present study, as the first application of the SCMP method, we have investigated the structures and dynamics of Na + , K + , and Ca 2+ solutions based on nanosecond-scale sampling, a sampling 100-times longer than that of conventional QM-based samplings. Furthermore, we have evaluated two dynamic properties, the diffusion coefficient and difference spectra, with high statistical certainty. Furthermore the calculation of these properties has not previously been possible within the conventional QM/MM framework. Based on our analysis, we have quantitatively evaluated the quantum chemical solvation effects, which show distinct differences between the cations.

Quantum dot coating of baculoviral vectors enables visualization of transduced cells and tissues

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao, Ying; Lo, Seong Loong; Zheng, Yuangang

2013-04-26

Highlights: •The use of quantum dot (QD)-labeled viral vectors for in vivo imaging is not well investigated. •A new method to label enveloped baculovirus with glutathione-capped CdTe QDs is developed. •The labeling enables the identification of transduced, cultured cells based on fluorescence. •The labeling also allows evaluation of viral transduction in a real-time manner in living mice. •The method has the potential to assess viral vector-based gene therapy protocols in future. -- Abstract: Imaging of transduced cells and tissues is valuable in developing gene transfer vectors and evaluating gene therapy efficacy. We report here a simple method to use brightmore » and photostable quantum dots to label baculovirus, an emerging gene therapy vector. The labeling was achieved through the non-covalent interaction of glutathione-capped CdTe quantum dots with the virus envelope, without the use of chemical conjugation. The quantum dot labeling was nondestructive to viral transduction function and enabled the identification of baculoviral vector-transduced, living cells based on red fluorescence. When the labeled baculoviral vectors were injected intravenously or intraventricularly for in vivo delivery of a transgene into mice, quantum dot fluorescence signals allow us monitor whether or not the injected tissues were transduced. More importantly, using a dual-color whole-body imaging technology, we demonstrated that in vivo viral transduction could be evaluated in a real-time manner in living mice. Thus, our method of labeling a read-to-use gene delivery vector with quantum dots could be useful towards the improvement of vector design and will have the potential to assess baculovirus-based gene therapy protocols in future.« less

QuVis interactive simulations: tools to support quantum mechanics instruction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohnle, Antje

2015-04-01

Quantum mechanics holds a fascination for many students, but its mathematical complexity and counterintuitive results can present major barriers. The QuVis Quantum Mechanics Visualization Project (www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics/quvis) aims to overcome these issues through the development and evaluation of interactive simulations with accompanying activities for the learning and teaching of quantum mechanics. Over 90 simulations are now available on the QuVis website. One collection of simulations is embedded in the Institute of Physics Quantum Physics website (quantumphysics.iop.org), which consists of freely available resources for an introductory course in quantum mechanics starting from two-level systems. Simulations support model-building by reducing complexity, focusing on fundamental ideas and making the invisible visible. They promote engaged exploration, sense-making and linking of multiple representations, and include high levels of interactivity and direct feedback. Simulations are research-based and evaluation with students informs all stages of the development process. Simulations are iteratively refined using student feedback in individual observation sessions and in-class trials. Evaluation has shown that the simulations can help students learn quantum mechanics concepts at both the introductory and advanced undergraduate level and that students perceive simulations to be beneficial to their learning. Recent activity includes the launch of a new collection of HTML5 simulations that run on both desktop and tablet-based devices and the introduction of a goal and reward structure in simulations through the inclusion of challenges. This presentation will give an overview of the QuVis resources, highlight recent work and outline future plans. QuVis is supported by the UK Institute of Physics, the UK Higher Education Academy and the University of St Andrews.

Quantum Error Correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lidar, Daniel A.; Brun, Todd A.

2013-09-01

Prologue; Preface; Part I. Background: 1. Introduction to decoherence and noise in open quantum systems Daniel Lidar and Todd Brun; 2. Introduction to quantum error correction Dave Bacon; 3. Introduction to decoherence-free subspaces and noiseless subsystems Daniel Lidar; 4. Introduction to quantum dynamical decoupling Lorenza Viola; 5. Introduction to quantum fault tolerance Panos Aliferis; Part II. Generalized Approaches to Quantum Error Correction: 6. Operator quantum error correction David Kribs and David Poulin; 7. Entanglement-assisted quantum error-correcting codes Todd Brun and Min-Hsiu Hsieh; 8. Continuous-time quantum error correction Ognyan Oreshkov; Part III. Advanced Quantum Codes: 9. Quantum convolutional codes Mark Wilde; 10. Non-additive quantum codes Markus Grassl and Martin Rötteler; 11. Iterative quantum coding systems David Poulin; 12. Algebraic quantum coding theory Andreas Klappenecker; 13. Optimization-based quantum error correction Andrew Fletcher; Part IV. Advanced Dynamical Decoupling: 14. High order dynamical decoupling Zhen-Yu Wang and Ren-Bao Liu; 15. Combinatorial approaches to dynamical decoupling Martin Rötteler and Pawel Wocjan; Part V. Alternative Quantum Computation Approaches: 16. Holonomic quantum computation Paolo Zanardi; 17. Fault tolerance for holonomic quantum computation Ognyan Oreshkov, Todd Brun and Daniel Lidar; 18. Fault tolerant measurement-based quantum computing Debbie Leung; Part VI. Topological Methods: 19. Topological codes Héctor Bombín; 20. Fault tolerant topological cluster state quantum computing Austin Fowler and Kovid Goyal; Part VII. Applications and Implementations: 21. Experimental quantum error correction Dave Bacon; 22. Experimental dynamical decoupling Lorenza Viola; 23. Architectures Jacob Taylor; 24. Error correction in quantum communication Mark Wilde; Part VIII. Critical Evaluation of Fault Tolerance: 25. Hamiltonian methods in QEC and fault tolerance Eduardo Novais, Eduardo Mucciolo and Harold Baranger; 26. Critique of fault-tolerant quantum information processing Robert Alicki; References; Index.

Strain-induced formation of fourfold symmetric SiGe quantum dot molecules.

PubMed

Zinovyev, V A; Dvurechenskii, A V; Kuchinskaya, P A; Armbrister, V A

2013-12-27

The strain field distribution at the surface of a multilayer structure with disklike SiGe nanomounds formed by heteroepitaxy is exploited to arrange the symmetric quantum dot molecules typically consisting of four elongated quantum dots ordered along the [010] and [100] directions. The morphological transition from fourfold quantum dot molecules to continuous fortresslike quantum rings with an increasing amount of deposited Ge is revealed. We examine key mechanisms underlying the formation of lateral quantum dot molecules by using scanning tunneling microscopy and numerical calculations of the strain energy distribution on the top of disklike SiGe nanomounds. Experimental data are well described by a simple thermodynamic model based on the accurate evaluation of the strain dependent part of the surface chemical potential. The spatial arrangement of quantum dots inside molecules is attributed to the effect of elastic property anisotropy.

Decoherence Effect on Quantum Correlation and Entanglement in a Two-qubit Spin Chain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pourkarimi, Mohammad Reza; Rahnama, Majid; Rooholamini, Hossein

2015-04-01

Assuming a two-qubit system in Werner state which evolves in Heisenberg XY model with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya (DM) interaction under the effect of different environments. We evaluate and compare quantum entanglement, quantum and classical correlation measures. It is shown that in the absence of decoherence effects, there is a critical value of DM interaction for which entanglement may vanish while quantum and classical correlations do not. In the presence of environment the behavior of correlations depends on the kind of system-environment interaction. Correlations can be sustained by manipulating Hamiltonian anisotropic-parameter in a dissipative environment. Quantum and classical correlations are more stable than entanglement generally.

Simple performance evaluation of pulsed spontaneous parametric down-conversion sources for quantum communications.

PubMed

Smirr, Jean-Loup; Guilbaud, Sylvain; Ghalbouni, Joe; Frey, Robert; Diamanti, Eleni; Alléaume, Romain; Zaquine, Isabelle

2011-01-17

Fast characterization of pulsed spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) sources is important for applications in quantum information processing and communications. We propose a simple method to perform this task, which only requires measuring the counts on the two output channels and the coincidences between them, as well as modeling the filter used to reduce the source bandwidth. The proposed method is experimentally tested and used for a complete evaluation of SPDC sources (pair emission probability, total losses, and fidelity) of various bandwidths. This method can find applications in the setting up of SPDC sources and in the continuous verification of the quality of quantum communication links.

Removing the barrier to the calculation of activation energies

DOE PAGES

Mesele, Oluwaseun O.; Thompson, Ward H.

2016-10-06

Approaches for directly calculating the activation energy for a chemical reaction from a simulation at a single temperature are explored with applications to both classical and quantum systems. The activation energy is obtained from a time correlation function that can be evaluated from the same molecular dynamics trajectories or quantum dynamics used to evaluate the rate constant itself and thus requires essentially no extra computational work.

Fractional Quantum Hall Effect in n = 0 Landau Band of Graphene with Chern Number Matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kudo, Koji; Hatsugai, Yasuhiro

2018-06-01

Fully taking into account the honeycomb lattice structure, fractional quantum Hall states of graphene are considered by a pseudopotential projected into the n = 0 Landau band. By using chirality as an internal degree of freedom, the Chern number matrices are defined and evaluated numerically. Quantum phase transition induced by changing a range of the interaction is demonstrated that is associated with chirality ferromagnetism. The chirality-unpolarized ground state is consistent with the Halperin 331 state of the bilayer quantum Hall system.

Hierarchy of Efficiently Computable and Faithful Lower Bounds to Quantum Discord

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piani, Marco

2016-08-01

Quantum discord expresses a fundamental nonclassicality of correlations that is more general than entanglement, but that, in its standard definition, is not easily evaluated. We derive a hierarchy of computationally efficient lower bounds to the standard quantum discord. Every nontrivial element of the hierarchy constitutes by itself a valid discordlike measure, based on a fundamental feature of quantum correlations: their lack of shareability. Our approach emphasizes how the difference between entanglement and discord depends on whether shareability is intended as a static property or as a dynamical process.

On the Large R-charge Expansion in N=2 Superconformal Field Theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hellerman, Simeon; Maeda, Shunsuke

2017-12-01

In this note we study two point functions of Coulomb branch chiral ring elements with large R-charge, in quantum field theories with N=2 superconformal symmetry in four spacetime dimensions. Focusing on the case of one-dimensional Coulomb branch, we use the effective-field-theoretic methods of [1], to estimate the two-point correlation function Y_n≡ {|x-y|}^{2n{Δ}_O}< {(O(x))}^n{(\\overlineO(y))}^n> in the limit where the operator insertion O^n has large total R-charge J=n{Δ}_O . We show that Y_n has a nontrivial but universal asymptotic expansion at large J , of the form Y_n from "Euclid Math One" (0x3D)J!{(|{N}_O|/2π)}^{2J}J^{α }{\\tildeY}_n, where {\\tildeY}_n approaches a constant as n → ∞, and {N}_O is an n-independent constant describing on the normalization of the operator relative to the effective Abelian gauge coupling. The exponent α is a positive number proportional to the difference between the a-anomaly coefficient of the underlying CFT and that of the effective theory of the Coulomb branch. For Lagrangian SCFT, we check our predictions for the logarithm B_n= log (Y_n) , up to and including order log J against exact results from supersymmetric localization [2-5]. In the case of N=4 we find precise agreement and in the case N=2 we find reasonably good numerical agreement at J˜eq 60 using the no-instanton approximation to the S 4 partition function. We also give predictions for the growth of two-point functions in all rank-one SCFT in the classification of [6-9]. In this way, we show the large- R-charge expansion serves as a bridge from the world of unbroken superconformal symmetry, OPE data, and bootstraps, to the world of the low-energy dynamics of the moduli space of vacua.

The infrared behaviour of QCD Green's functions. Confinement, dynamical symmetry breaking, and hadrons as relativistic bound states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alkofer, Reinhard; von Smekal, Lorenz

2001-11-01

Recent studies of QCD Green's functions and their applications in hadronic physics are reviewed. We discuss the definition of the generating functional in gauge theories, in particular, the rôle of redundant degrees of freedom, possibilities of a complete gauge fixing versus gauge fixing in presence of Gribov copies, BRS invariance and positivity. The apparent contradiction between positivity and colour antiscreening in combination with BRS invariance in QCD is considered. Evidence for the violation of positivity by quarks and transverse gluons in the covariant gauge is collected, and it is argued that this is one manifestation of confinement. We summarise the derivation of the Dyson-Schwinger equations (DSEs) of QED and QCD. For the latter, the implications of BRS invariance on the Green's functions are explored. The possible influence of instantons on DSEs is discussed in a two-dimensional model. In QED in (2+1) and (3+1) dimensions, the solutions for Green's functions provide tests of truncation schemes which can under certain circumstances be extended to the DSEs of QCD. We discuss some limitations of such extensions and assess the validity of assumptions for QCD as motivated from studies in QED. Truncation schemes for DSEs are discussed in axial and related gauges, as well as in the Landau gauge. Furthermore, we review the available results from a systematic non-perturbative expansion scheme established for Landau gauge QCD. Comparisons to related lattice results, where available, are presented. The applications of QCD Green's functions to hadron physics are summarised. Properties of ground state mesons are discussed on the basis of the ladder Bethe-Salpeter equation for quarks and antiquarks. The Goldstone nature of pseudoscalar mesons and a mechanism for diquark confinement beyond the ladder approximation are reviewed. We discuss some properties of ground state baryons based on their description as Bethe-Salpeter/Faddeev bound states of quark-diquark correlations in the quantum field theory of confined quarks and gluons.

Lower bound on the time complexity of local adiabatic evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhenghao; Koh, Pang Wei; Zhao, Yan

2006-11-01

The adiabatic theorem of quantum physics has been, in recent times, utilized in the design of local search quantum algorithms, and has been proven to be equivalent to standard quantum computation, that is, the use of unitary operators [D. Aharonov in Proceedings of the 45th Annual Symposium on the Foundations of Computer Science, 2004, Rome, Italy (IEEE Computer Society Press, New York, 2004), pp. 42-51]. Hence, the study of the time complexity of adiabatic evolution algorithms gives insight into the computational power of quantum algorithms. In this paper, we present two different approaches of evaluating the time complexity for local adiabatic evolution using time-independent parameters, thus providing effective tests (not requiring the evaluation of the entire time-dependent gap function) for the time complexity of newly developed algorithms. We further illustrate our tests by displaying results from the numerical simulation of some problems, viz. specially modified instances of the Hamming weight problem.

Degree of quantum correlation required to speed up a computation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kay, Alastair

2015-12-01

The one-clean-qubit model of quantum computation (DQC1) efficiently implements a computational task that is not known to have a classical alternative. During the computation, there is never more than a small but finite amount of entanglement present, and it is typically vanishingly small in the system size. In this paper, we demonstrate that there is nothing unexpected hidden within the DQC1 model—Grover's search, when acting on a mixed state, provably exhibits a speedup over classical, with guarantees as to the presence of only vanishingly small amounts of quantum correlations (entanglement and quantum discord)—while arguing that this is not an artifact of the oracle-based construction. We also present some important refinements in the evaluation of how much entanglement may be present in the DQC1 and how the typical entanglement of the system must be evaluated.

Fabrication of nanoscale heterostructures comprised of graphene-encapsulated gold nanoparticles and semiconducting quantum dots for photocatalysis.

PubMed

Li, Yuan; Chopra, Nitin

2015-05-21

Patterned growth of multilayer graphene shell encapsulated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and their covalent linking with inorganic quantum dots are demonstrated. GNPs were grown using a xylene chemical vapor deposition process, where the surface oxidized gold nanoparticles catalyze the multilayer graphene shell growth in a single step process. The graphene shell encapsulating gold nanoparticles could be further functionalized with carboxylic groups, which were covalently linked to amine-terminated quantum dots resulting in GNP-quantum dot heterostructures. The compositions, morphologies, crystallinity, and surface functionalization of GNPs and their heterostructures with quantum dots were evaluated using microscopic, spectroscopic, and analytical methods. Furthermore, optical properties of the derived architectures were studied using both experimental methods and simulations. Finally, GNP-quantum dot heterostructures were studied for photocatalytic degradation of phenol.

L-Cysteine Capped CdSe Quantum Dots Synthesized by Photochemical Route.

PubMed

Singh, Avinash; Kunwar, Amit; Rath, M C

2018-05-01

L-cysteine capped CdSe quantum dots were synthesized via photochemical route in aqueous solution under UV photo-irradiation. The as grown CdSe quantum dots exhibit broad fluorescence at room temperature. The CdSe quantum dots were found to be formed only through the reactions of the precursors, i.e., Cd(NH3)2+4 and SeSO2-3 with the photochemically generated 1-hydroxy-2-propyl radicals, (CH3)2COH radicals, which are formed through the process of H atom abstraction by the photoexcited acetone from 2-propanol. L-Cysteine was found to act as a suitable capping agent for the CdSe quantum dots and increases their biocompatability. Cytotoxicty effects of these quantum dots were evaluated in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) epithelial cells, indicated a significant lower level for the L-cysteine capped CdSe quantum dots as compare to the bare ones.

Designing Novel Quaternary Quantum Reversible Subtractor Circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haghparast, Majid; Monfared, Asma Taheri

2018-01-01

Reversible logic synthesis is an important area of current research because of its ability to reduce energy dissipation. In recent years, multiple valued logic has received great attention due to its ability to reduce the width of the reversible circuit which is a main requirement in quantum technology. Subtractor circuits are between major components used in quantum computers. In this paper, we will discuss the design of a quaternary quantum reversible half subtractor circuit using quaternary 1-qudit, 2-qudit Muthukrishnan-Stroud and 3-qudit controlled gates and a 2-qudit Generalized quaternary gate. Then a design of a quaternary quantum reversible full subtractor circuit based on the quaternary half subtractor will be presenting. The designs shall then be evaluated in terms of quantum cost, constant input, garbage output, and hardware complexity. The proposed quaternary quantum reversible circuits are the first attempt in the designing of the aforementioned subtractor.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dine, Michael; Draper, Patrick; Stephenson-Haskins, Laurel

Here, we study the large N θ dependence and the η' potential in supersymmetric QCD with small soft SUSY-breaking terms. Known exact results in SUSY QCD are found to reflect a variety of expectations from large N perturbation theory, including the presence of branches and the behavior of theories with matter (both with N f << N and N f ~ N ). But, there are also striking departures from ordinary QCD and the conventional large N description: instanton effects, when under control, are not exponentially suppressed at large N , and branched structure in supersymmetric QCD is always associatedmore » with approximate discrete symmetries. We suggest that these differences motivate further study of large N QCD on the lattice.« less

Transmogrifying fuzzy vortices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murugan, Jeff; Millner, Antony

2004-04-01

We show that the construction of vortex solitons of the noncommutative abelian-Higgs model can be extended to a critically coupled gauged linear sigma model with Fayet-Illiopolous D-terms. Like its commutative counterpart, this fuzzy linear sigma model has a rich spectrum of BPS solutions. We offer an explicit construction of the degree-k static semilocal vortex and study in some detail the infinite coupling limit in which it descends to a degree-k Bbb CBbb PkN instanton. This relation between the fuzzy vortex and noncommutative lump is used to suggest an interpretation of the noncommutative sigma model soliton as tilted D-strings stretched between an NS5-brane and a stack of D3-branes in type-IIB superstring theory.

An A{sub r} threesome: Matrix models, 2d conformal field theories, and 4dN=2 gauge theories

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schiappa, Ricardo; Wyllard, Niclas

We explore the connections between three classes of theories: A{sub r} quiver matrix models, d=2 conformal A{sub r} Toda field theories, and d=4N=2 supersymmetric conformal A{sub r} quiver gauge theories. In particular, we analyze the quiver matrix models recently introduced by Dijkgraaf and Vafa (unpublished) and make detailed comparisons with the corresponding quantities in the Toda field theories and the N=2 quiver gauge theories. We also make a speculative proposal for how the matrix models should be modified in order for them to reproduce the instanton partition functions in quiver gauge theories in five dimensions.

An Efficient Quantum Somewhat Homomorphic Symmetric Searchable Encryption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xiaoqiang; Wang, Ting; Sun, Zhiwei; Wang, Ping; Yu, Jianping; Xie, Weixin

2017-04-01

In 2009, Gentry first introduced an ideal lattices fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) scheme. Later, based on the approximate greatest common divisor problem, learning with errors problem or learning with errors over rings problem, FHE has developed rapidly, along with the low efficiency and computational security. Combined with quantum mechanics, Liang proposed a symmetric quantum somewhat homomorphic encryption (QSHE) scheme based on quantum one-time pad, which is unconditional security. And it was converted to a quantum fully homomorphic encryption scheme, whose evaluation algorithm is based on the secret key. Compared with Liang's QSHE scheme, we propose a more efficient QSHE scheme for classical input states with perfect security, which is used to encrypt the classical message, and the secret key is not required in the evaluation algorithm. Furthermore, an efficient symmetric searchable encryption (SSE) scheme is constructed based on our QSHE scheme. SSE is important in the cloud storage, which allows users to offload search queries to the untrusted cloud. Then the cloud is responsible for returning encrypted files that match search queries (also encrypted), which protects users' privacy.

Machine learning Z2 quantum spin liquids with quasiparticle statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yi; Melko, Roger G.; Kim, Eun-Ah

2017-12-01

After decades of progress and effort, obtaining a phase diagram for a strongly correlated topological system still remains a challenge. Although in principle one could turn to Wilson loops and long-range entanglement, evaluating these nonlocal observables at many points in phase space can be prohibitively costly. With growing excitement over topological quantum computation comes the need for an efficient approach for obtaining topological phase diagrams. Here we turn to machine learning using quantum loop topography (QLT), a notion we have recently introduced. Specifically, we propose a construction of QLT that is sensitive to quasiparticle statistics. We then use mutual statistics between the spinons and visons to detect a Z2 quantum spin liquid in a multiparameter phase space. We successfully obtain the quantum phase boundary between the topological and trivial phases using a simple feed-forward neural network. Furthermore, we demonstrate advantages of our approach for the evaluation of phase diagrams relating to speed and storage. Such statistics-based machine learning of topological phases opens new efficient routes to studying topological phase diagrams in strongly correlated systems.

Tuning Single Quantum Dot Emission with a Micromirror.

PubMed

Yuan, Gangcheng; Gómez, Daniel; Kirkwood, Nicholas; Mulvaney, Paul

2018-02-14

The photoluminescence of single quantum dots fluctuates between bright (on) and dark (off) states, also termed fluorescence intermittency or blinking. This blinking limits the performance of quantum dot-based devices such as light-emitting diodes and solar cells. However, the origins of the blinking remain unresolved. Here, we use a movable gold micromirror to determine both the quantum yield of the bright state and the orientation of the excited state dipole of single quantum dots. We observe that the quantum yield of the bright state is close to unity for these single QDs. Furthermore, we also study the effect of a micromirror on blinking, and then evaluate excitation efficiency, biexciton quantum yield, and detection efficiency. The mirror does not modify the off-time statistics, but it does change the density of optical states available to the quantum dot and hence the on times. The duration of the on times can be lengthened due to an increase in the radiative recombination rate.

Size dependence in tunneling spectra of PbSe quantum-dot arrays.

PubMed

Ou, Y C; Cheng, S F; Jian, W B

2009-07-15

Interdot Coulomb interactions and collective Coulomb blockade were theoretically argued to be a newly important topic, and experimentally identified in semiconductor quantum dots, formed in the gate confined two-dimensional electron gas system. Developments of cluster science and colloidal synthesis accelerated the studies of electron transport in colloidal nanocrystal or quantum-dot solids. To study the interdot coupling, various sizes of two-dimensional arrays of colloidal PbSe quantum dots are self-assembled on flat gold surfaces for scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning tunneling spectroscopy measurements at both room and liquid-nitrogen temperatures. The tip-to-array, array-to-substrate, and interdot capacitances are evaluated and the tunneling spectra of quantum-dot arrays are analyzed by the theory of collective Coulomb blockade. The current-voltage of PbSe quantum-dot arrays conforms properly to a scaling power law function. In this study, the dependence of tunneling spectra on the sizes (numbers of quantum dots) of arrays is reported and the capacitive coupling between quantum dots in the arrays is explored.

Benchmarking a quantum teleportation protocol in superconducting circuits using tomography and an entanglement witness.

PubMed

Baur, M; Fedorov, A; Steffen, L; Filipp, S; da Silva, M P; Wallraff, A

2012-01-27

Teleportation of a quantum state may be used for distributing entanglement between distant qubits in quantum communication and for quantum computation. Here we demonstrate the implementation of a teleportation protocol, up to the single-shot measurement step, with superconducting qubits coupled to a microwave resonator. Using full quantum state tomography and evaluating an entanglement witness, we show that the protocol generates a genuine tripartite entangled state of all three qubits. Calculating the projection of the measured density matrix onto the basis states of two qubits allows us to reconstruct the teleported state. Repeating this procedure for a complete set of input states we find an average output state fidelity of 86%.

Rate-loss analysis of an efficient quantum repeater architecture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guha, Saikat; Krovi, Hari; Fuchs, Christopher A.; Dutton, Zachary; Slater, Joshua A.; Simon, Christoph; Tittel, Wolfgang

2015-08-01

We analyze an entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) architecture that uses a linear chain of quantum repeaters employing photon-pair sources, spectral-multiplexing, linear-optic Bell-state measurements, multimode quantum memories, and classical-only error correction. Assuming perfect sources, we find an exact expression for the secret-key rate, and an analytical description of how errors propagate through the repeater chain, as a function of various loss-and-noise parameters of the devices. We show via an explicit analytical calculation, which separately addresses the effects of the principle nonidealities, that this scheme achieves a secret-key rate that surpasses the Takeoka-Guha-Wilde bound—a recently found fundamental limit to the rate-vs-loss scaling achievable by any QKD protocol over a direct optical link—thereby providing one of the first rigorous proofs of the efficacy of a repeater protocol. We explicitly calculate the end-to-end shared noisy quantum state generated by the repeater chain, which could be useful for analyzing the performance of other non-QKD quantum protocols that require establishing long-distance entanglement. We evaluate that shared state's fidelity and the achievable entanglement-distillation rate, as a function of the number of repeater nodes, total range, and various loss-and-noise parameters of the system. We extend our theoretical analysis to encompass sources with nonzero two-pair-emission probability, using an efficient exact numerical evaluation of the quantum state propagation and measurements. We expect our results to spur formal rate-loss analysis of other repeater protocols and also to provide useful abstractions to seed analyses of quantum networks of complex topologies.

Experimental evaluation of nonclassical correlations between measurement outcomes and target observable in a quantum measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iinuma, Masataka; Suzuki, Yutaro; Nii, Taiki; Kinoshita, Ryuji; Hofmann, Holger F.

2016-03-01

In general, it is difficult to evaluate measurement errors when the initial and final conditions of the measurement make it impossible to identify the correct value of the target observable. Ozawa proposed a solution based on the operator algebra of observables which has recently been used in experiments investigating the error-disturbance trade-off of quantum measurements. Importantly, this solution makes surprisingly detailed statements about the relations between measurement outcomes and the unknown target observable. In the present paper, we investigate this relation by performing a sequence of two measurements on the polarization of a photon, so that the first measurement commutes with the target observable and the second measurement is sensitive to a complementary observable. While the initial measurement can be evaluated using classical statistics, the second measurement introduces the effects of quantum correlations between the noncommuting physical properties. By varying the resolution of the initial measurement, we can change the relative contribution of the nonclassical correlations and identify their role in the evaluation of the quantum measurement. It is shown that the most striking deviation from classical expectations is obtained at the transition between weak and strong measurements, where the competition between different statistical effects results in measurement values well outside the range of possible eigenvalues.

Accelerated path integral methods for atomistic simulations at ultra-low temperatures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Uhl, Felix, E-mail: felix.uhl@rub.de; Marx, Dominik; Ceriotti, Michele

2016-08-07

Path integral methods provide a rigorous and systematically convergent framework to include the quantum mechanical nature of atomic nuclei in the evaluation of the equilibrium properties of molecules, liquids, or solids at finite temperature. Such nuclear quantum effects are often significant for light nuclei already at room temperature, but become crucial at cryogenic temperatures such as those provided by superfluid helium as a solvent. Unfortunately, the cost of converged path integral simulations increases significantly upon lowering the temperature so that the computational burden of simulating matter at the typical superfluid helium temperatures becomes prohibitive. Here we investigate how accelerated pathmore » integral techniques based on colored noise generalized Langevin equations, in particular the so-called path integral generalized Langevin equation thermostat (PIGLET) variant, perform in this extreme quantum regime using as an example the quasi-rigid methane molecule and its highly fluxional protonated cousin, CH{sub 5}{sup +}. We show that the PIGLET technique gives a speedup of two orders of magnitude in the evaluation of structural observables and quantum kinetic energy at ultralow temperatures. Moreover, we computed the spatial spread of the quantum nuclei in CH{sub 4} to illustrate the limits of using such colored noise thermostats close to the many body quantum ground state.« less

Measuring Incompatible Observables by Exploiting Sequential Weak Values.

PubMed

Piacentini, F; Avella, A; Levi, M P; Gramegna, M; Brida, G; Degiovanni, I P; Cohen, E; Lussana, R; Villa, F; Tosi, A; Zappa, F; Genovese, M

2016-10-21

One of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics is the impossibility of measuring at the same time observables corresponding to noncommuting operators, because of quantum uncertainty. This impossibility can be partially relaxed when considering joint or sequential weak value evaluation. Indeed, weak value measurements have been a real breakthrough in the quantum measurement framework that is of the utmost interest from both a fundamental and an applicative point of view. In this Letter, we show how we realized for the first time a sequential weak value evaluation of two incompatible observables using a genuine single-photon experiment. These (sometimes anomalous) sequential weak values revealed the single-operator weak values, as well as the local correlation between them.

Measuring Incompatible Observables by Exploiting Sequential Weak Values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piacentini, F.; Avella, A.; Levi, M. P.; Gramegna, M.; Brida, G.; Degiovanni, I. P.; Cohen, E.; Lussana, R.; Villa, F.; Tosi, A.; Zappa, F.; Genovese, M.

2016-10-01

One of the most intriguing aspects of quantum mechanics is the impossibility of measuring at the same time observables corresponding to noncommuting operators, because of quantum uncertainty. This impossibility can be partially relaxed when considering joint or sequential weak value evaluation. Indeed, weak value measurements have been a real breakthrough in the quantum measurement framework that is of the utmost interest from both a fundamental and an applicative point of view. In this Letter, we show how we realized for the first time a sequential weak value evaluation of two incompatible observables using a genuine single-photon experiment. These (sometimes anomalous) sequential weak values revealed the single-operator weak values, as well as the local correlation between them.

Quantum thermodynamics and quantum entanglement entropies in an expanding universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farahmand, Mehrnoosh; Mohammadzadeh, Hosein; Mehri-Dehnavi, Hossein

2017-05-01

We investigate an asymptotically spatially flat Robertson-Walker space-time from two different perspectives. First, using von Neumann entropy, we evaluate the entanglement generation due to the encoded information in space-time. Then, we work out the entropy of particle creation based on the quantum thermodynamics of the scalar field on the underlying space-time. We show that the general behavior of both entropies are the same. Therefore, the entanglement can be applied to the customary quantum thermodynamics of the universe. Also, using these entropies, we can recover some information about the parameters of space-time.

Comment on “Stationary self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in relativistic thermal quantum plasma” [Phys. Plasmas 20, 072703 (2013)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Habibi, M., E-mail: habibi.physics@gmail.com; Ghamari, F.

2014-06-15

Patil and Takale in their recent article [Phys. Plasmas 20, 072703 (2013)], by evaluating the quantum dielectric response in thermal quantum plasma, have modeled the relativistic self-focusing of Gaussian laser beam in a plasma. We have found that there are some important shortcomings and fundamental mistakes in Patil and Takale [Phys. Plasmas 20, 072703 (2013)] that we give a brief description about them and refer readers to important misconception about the use of the Fermi temperature in quantum plasmas, appearing in Patil and Takale [Phys. Plasmas 20, 072703 (2013)].

Improving Quantum Gate Simulation using a GPU

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gutierrez, Eladio; Romero, Sergio; Trenas, Maria A.; Zapata, Emilio L.

2008-11-01

Due to the increasing computing power of the graphics processing units (GPU), they are becoming more and more popular when solving general purpose algorithms. As the simulation of quantum computers results on a problem with exponential complexity, it is advisable to perform a parallel computation, such as the one provided by the SIMD multiprocessors present in recent GPUs. In this paper, we focus on an important quantum algorithm, the quantum Fourier transform (QTF), in order to evaluate different parallelization strategies on a novel GPU architecture. Our implementation makes use of the new CUDA software/hardware architecture developed recently by NVIDIA.

Hybrid annealing: Coupling a quantum simulator to a classical computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Graß, Tobias; Lewenstein, Maciej

2017-05-01

Finding the global minimum in a rugged potential landscape is a computationally hard task, often equivalent to relevant optimization problems. Annealing strategies, either classical or quantum, explore the configuration space by evolving the system under the influence of thermal or quantum fluctuations. The thermal annealing dynamics can rapidly freeze the system into a low-energy configuration, and it can be simulated well on a classical computer, but it easily gets stuck in local minima. Quantum annealing, on the other hand, can be guaranteed to find the true ground state and can be implemented in modern quantum simulators; however, quantum adiabatic schemes become prohibitively slow in the presence of quasidegeneracies. Here, we propose a strategy which combines ideas from simulated annealing and quantum annealing. In such a hybrid algorithm, the outcome of a quantum simulator is processed on a classical device. While the quantum simulator explores the configuration space by repeatedly applying quantum fluctuations and performing projective measurements, the classical computer evaluates each configuration and enforces a lowering of the energy. We have simulated this algorithm for small instances of the random energy model, showing that it potentially outperforms both simulated thermal annealing and adiabatic quantum annealing. It becomes most efficient for problems involving many quasidegenerate ground states.

Finite-size effect on optimal efficiency of heat engines.

PubMed

Tajima, Hiroyasu; Hayashi, Masahito

2017-07-01

The optimal efficiency of quantum (or classical) heat engines whose heat baths are n-particle systems is given by the strong large deviation. We give the optimal work extraction process as a concrete energy-preserving unitary time evolution among the heat baths and the work storage. We show that our optimal work extraction turns the disordered energy of the heat baths to the ordered energy of the work storage, by evaluating the ratio of the entropy difference to the energy difference in the heat baths and the work storage, respectively. By comparing the statistical mechanical optimal efficiency with the macroscopic thermodynamic bound, we evaluate the accuracy of the macroscopic thermodynamics with finite-size heat baths from the statistical mechanical viewpoint. We also evaluate the quantum coherence effect on the optimal efficiency of the cycle processes without restricting their cycle time by comparing the classical and quantum optimal efficiencies.

Efficient steady-state solver for hierarchical quantum master equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hou-Dao; Qiao, Qin; Xu, Rui-Xue; Zheng, Xiao; Yan, YiJing

2017-07-01

Steady states play pivotal roles in many equilibrium and non-equilibrium open system studies. Their accurate evaluations call for exact theories with rigorous treatment of system-bath interactions. Therein, the hierarchical equations-of-motion (HEOM) formalism is a nonperturbative and non-Markovian quantum dissipation theory, which can faithfully describe the dissipative dynamics and nonlinear response of open systems. Nevertheless, solving the steady states of open quantum systems via HEOM is often a challenging task, due to the vast number of dynamical quantities involved. In this work, we propose a self-consistent iteration approach that quickly solves the HEOM steady states. We demonstrate its high efficiency with accurate and fast evaluations of low-temperature thermal equilibrium of a model Fenna-Matthews-Olson pigment-protein complex. Numerically exact evaluation of thermal equilibrium Rényi entropies and stationary emission line shapes is presented with detailed discussion.

Prediction of Rare Transitions in Planetary Atmosphere Dynamics Between Attractors with Different Number of Zonal Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchet, F.; Laurie, J.; Zaboronski, O.

2012-12-01

We describe transitions between attractors with either one, two or more zonal jets in models of turbulent atmosphere dynamics. Those transitions are extremely rare, and occur over times scales of centuries or millennia. They are extremely hard to observe in direct numerical simulations, because they require on one hand an extremely good resolution in order to simulate accurately the turbulence and on the other hand simulations performed over an extremely long time. Those conditions are usually not met together in any realistic models. However many examples of transitions between turbulent attractors in geophysical flows are known to exist (paths of the Kuroshio, Earth's magnetic field reversal, atmospheric flows, and so on). Their study through numerical computations is inaccessible using conventional means. We present an alternative approach, based on instanton theory and large deviations. Instanton theory provides a way to compute (both numerically and theoretically) extremely rare transitions between turbulent attractors. This tool, developed in field theory, and justified in some cases through the large deviation theory in mathematics, can be applied to models of turbulent atmosphere dynamics. It provides both new theoretical insights and new type of numerical algorithms. Those algorithms can predict transition histories and transition rates using numerical simulations run over only hundreds of typical model dynamical time, which is several order of magnitude lower than the typical transition time. We illustrate the power of those tools in the framework of quasi-geostrophic models. We show regimes where two or more attractors coexist. Those attractors corresponds to turbulent flows dominated by either one or more zonal jets similar to midlatitude atmosphere jets. Among the trajectories connecting two non-equilibrium attractors, we determine the most probable ones. Moreover, we also determine the transition rates, which are several of magnitude larger than a typical time determined from the jet structure. We discuss the medium-term generalization of those results to models with more complexity, like primitive equations or GCMs.

Integrated-optics heralded controlled-NOT gate for polarization-encoded qubits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeuner, Jonas; Sharma, Aditya N.; Tillmann, Max; Heilmann, René; Gräfe, Markus; Moqanaki, Amir; Szameit, Alexander; Walther, Philip

2018-03-01

Recent progress in integrated-optics technology has made photonics a promising platform for quantum networks and quantum computation protocols. Integrated optical circuits are characterized by small device footprints and unrivalled intrinsic interferometric stability. Here, we take advantage of femtosecond-laser-written waveguides' ability to process polarization-encoded qubits and present an implementation of a heralded controlled-NOT gate on chip. We evaluate the gate performance in the computational basis and a superposition basis, showing that the gate can create polarization entanglement between two photons. Transmission through the integrated device is optimized using thermally expanded core fibers and adiabatically reduced mode-field diameters at the waveguide facets. This demonstration underlines the feasibility of integrated quantum gates for all-optical quantum networks and quantum repeaters.

Measuring the complex admittance and tunneling rate of a germanium hut wire hole quantum dot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yan; Li, Shu-Xiao; Gao, Fei; Li, Hai-Ou; Xu, Gang; Wang, Ke; Liu, He; Cao, Gang; Xiao, Ming; Wang, Ting; Zhang, Jian-Jun; Guo, Guo-Ping

2018-05-01

We investigate the microwave reflectometry of an on-chip reflection line cavity coupled to a Ge hut wire hole quantum dot. The amplitude and phase responses of the cavity can be used to measure the complex admittance and evaluate the tunneling rate of the quantum dot, even in the region where transport signal through the quantum dot is too small to be measured by conventional direct transport means. The experimental observations are found to be in good agreement with a theoretical model of the hybrid system based on cavity frequency shift and linewidth shift. Our experimental results take the first step towards fast and sensitive readout of charge and spin states in Ge hut wire hole quantum dot.

Toward protocols for quantum-ensured privacy and secure voting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bonanome, Marianna; Buzek, Vladimir; Ziman, Mario

2011-08-15

We present a number of schemes that use quantum mechanics to preserve privacy, in particular, we show that entangled quantum states can be useful in maintaining privacy. We further develop our original proposal [see M. Hillery, M. Ziman, V. Buzek, and M. Bielikova, Phys. Lett. A 349, 75 (2006)] for protecting privacy in voting, and examine its security under certain types of attacks, in particular dishonest voters and external eavesdroppers. A variation of these quantum-based schemes can be used for multiparty function evaluation. We consider functions corresponding to group multiplication of N group elements, with each element chosen by amore » different party. We show how quantum mechanics can be useful in maintaining the privacy of the choices group elements.« less

Investigating and improving student understanding of quantum mechanics in the context of single photon interference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshman, Emily; Singh, Chandralekha

2017-06-01

Single photon experiments involving a Mach-Zehnder interferometer can illustrate the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, e.g., the wave-particle duality of a single photon, single photon interference, and the probabilistic nature of quantum measurement involving single photons. These experiments explicitly make the connection between the abstract quantum theory and concrete laboratory settings and have the potential to help students develop a solid grasp of the foundational issues in quantum mechanics. Here we describe students' conceptual difficulties with these topics in the context of Mach-Zehnder interferometer experiments with single photons and how the difficulties found in written surveys and individual interviews were used as a guide in the development of a Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial (QuILT). The QuILT uses an inquiry-based approach to learning and takes into account the conceptual difficulties found via research to help upper-level undergraduate and graduate students learn about foundational quantum mechanics concepts using the concrete quantum optics context. It strives to help students learn the basics of quantum mechanics in the context of single photon experiment, develop the ability to apply fundamental quantum principles to experimental situations in quantum optics, and explore the differences between classical and quantum ideas in a concrete context. We discuss the findings from in-class evaluations suggesting that the QuILT was effective in helping students learn these abstract concepts.

Rhizopus stolonifer mediated biosynthesis of biocompatible cadmium chalcogenide quantum dots.

PubMed

Mareeswari, P; Brijitta, J; Harikrishna Etti, S; Meganathan, C; Kaliaraj, Gobi Saravanan

2016-12-01

We report an efficient method to biosynthesize biocompatible cadmium telluride and cadmium sulphide quantum dots from the fungus Rhizopus stolonifer. The suspension of the quantum dots exhibited purple and greenish-blue luminescence respectively upon UV light illumination. Photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy confirms the formation of the quantum dots. From the photoluminescence spectrum the emission maxima is found to be 424 and 476nm respectively. The X-ray diffraction of the quantum dots matches with results reported in literature. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay for cell viability evaluation carried out on 3-days transfer, inoculum 3×10 5 cells, embryonic fibroblast cells lines shows that more than 80% of the cells are viable even after 48h, indicating the biocompatible nature of the quantum dots. A good contrast in imaging has been obtained upon incorporating the quantum dots in human breast adenocarcinoma Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 cell lines. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The Misapplication of Probability Theory in Quantum Mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Racicot, Ronald

2014-03-01

This article is a revision of two papers submitted to the APS in the past two and a half years. In these papers, arguments and proofs are summarized for the following: (1) The wrong conclusion by EPR that Quantum Mechanics is incomplete, perhaps requiring the addition of ``hidden variables'' for completion. Theorems that assume such ``hidden variables,'' such as Bell's theorem, are also wrong. (2) Quantum entanglement is not a realizable physical phenomenon and is based entirely on assuming a probability superposition model for quantum spin. Such a model directly violates conservation of angular momentum. (3) Simultaneous multiple-paths followed by a quantum particle traveling through space also cannot possibly exist. Besides violating Noether's theorem, the multiple-paths theory is based solely on probability calculations. Probability calculations by themselves cannot possibly represent simultaneous physically real events. None of the reviews of the submitted papers actually refuted the arguments and evidence that was presented. These analyses should therefore be carefully evaluated since the conclusions reached have such important impact in quantum mechanics and quantum information theory.

Error modelling of quantum Hall array resistance standards

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marzano, Martina; Oe, Takehiko; Ortolano, Massimo; Callegaro, Luca; Kaneko, Nobu-Hisa

2018-04-01

Quantum Hall array resistance standards (QHARSs) are integrated circuits composed of interconnected quantum Hall effect elements that allow the realization of virtually arbitrary resistance values. In recent years, techniques were presented to efficiently design QHARS networks. An open problem is that of the evaluation of the accuracy of a QHARS, which is affected by contact and wire resistances. In this work, we present a general and systematic procedure for the error modelling of QHARSs, which is based on modern circuit analysis techniques and Monte Carlo evaluation of the uncertainty. As a practical example, this method of analysis is applied to the characterization of a 1 MΩ QHARS developed by the National Metrology Institute of Japan. Software tools are provided to apply the procedure to other arrays.

Polarization variations in installed fibers and their influence on quantum key distribution systems.

PubMed

Ding, Yu-Yang; Chen, Hua; Wang, Shuang; He, De-Yong; Yin, Zhen-Qiang; Chen, Wei; Zhou, Zheng; Guo, Guang-Can; Han, Zheng-Fu

2017-10-30

Polarization variations in the installed fibers are complex and volatile, and would severely affect the performances of polarization-sensitive quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. Based on the recorded data about polarization variations of different installed fibers, we establish an analytical methodology to quantitatively evaluate the influence of polarization variations on polarization-sensitive QKD systems. Using the increased quantum bit error rate induced by polarization variations as a key criteria, we propose two parameters - polarization drift time and required tracking speed - to characterize polarization variations. For field buried and aerial fibers with different length, we quantitatively evaluate the influence of polarization variations, and also provide requirements and suggestions for polarization basis alignment modules of QKD systems deployed in different kind of fibers.

Characterizing quantum supremacy in near-term devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boixo, Sergio; Isakov, Sergei V.; Smelyanskiy, Vadim N.; Babbush, Ryan; Ding, Nan; Jiang, Zhang; Bremner, Michael J.; Martinis, John M.; Neven, Hartmut

2018-06-01

A critical question for quantum computing in the near future is whether quantum devices without error correction can perform a well-defined computational task beyond the capabilities of supercomputers. Such a demonstration of what is referred to as quantum supremacy requires a reliable evaluation of the resources required to solve tasks with classical approaches. Here, we propose the task of sampling from the output distribution of random quantum circuits as a demonstration of quantum supremacy. We extend previous results in computational complexity to argue that this sampling task must take exponential time in a classical computer. We introduce cross-entropy benchmarking to obtain the experimental fidelity of complex multiqubit dynamics. This can be estimated and extrapolated to give a success metric for a quantum supremacy demonstration. We study the computational cost of relevant classical algorithms and conclude that quantum supremacy can be achieved with circuits in a two-dimensional lattice of 7 × 7 qubits and around 40 clock cycles. This requires an error rate of around 0.5% for two-qubit gates (0.05% for one-qubit gates), and it would demonstrate the basic building blocks for a fault-tolerant quantum computer.

Compiling quantum circuits to realistic hardware architectures using temporal planners

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venturelli, Davide; Do, Minh; Rieffel, Eleanor; Frank, Jeremy

2018-04-01

To run quantum algorithms on emerging gate-model quantum hardware, quantum circuits must be compiled to take into account constraints on the hardware. For near-term hardware, with only limited means to mitigate decoherence, it is critical to minimize the duration of the circuit. We investigate the application of temporal planners to the problem of compiling quantum circuits to newly emerging quantum hardware. While our approach is general, we focus on compiling to superconducting hardware architectures with nearest neighbor constraints. Our initial experiments focus on compiling Quantum Alternating Operator Ansatz (QAOA) circuits whose high number of commuting gates allow great flexibility in the order in which the gates can be applied. That freedom makes it more challenging to find optimal compilations but also means there is a greater potential win from more optimized compilation than for less flexible circuits. We map this quantum circuit compilation problem to a temporal planning problem, and generated a test suite of compilation problems for QAOA circuits of various sizes to a realistic hardware architecture. We report compilation results from several state-of-the-art temporal planners on this test set. This early empirical evaluation demonstrates that temporal planning is a viable approach to quantum circuit compilation.

Ga metal nanoparticle-GaAs quantum molecule complexes for Terahertz generation.

PubMed

Bietti, Sergio; Basso Basset, Francesco; Scarpellini, David; Fedorov, Alexey; Ballabio, Andrea; Esposito, Luca; Elborg, Martin; Kuroda, Takashi; Nemcsics, Akos; Toth, Lajos; Manzoni, Cristian; Vozzi, Caterina; Sanguinetti, Stefano

2018-06-18

A hybrid metal-semiconductor nanosystem for the generation of THz radiation, based on the fabrication of GaAs quantum molecules-Ga metal nanoparticles complexes through a self assembly approach, is proposed. The role of the growth parameters, the substrate temperature, the Ga and As flux during the quantum dot molecule fabrication and the metal nanoparticle alignment is discussed. The tuning of the relative positioning of quantum dot molecules and metal nanoparticles is obtained through the careful control of Ga droplet nucleation sites via Ga surface diffusion. The electronic structure of a typical quantum dot molecule was evaluated on the base of the morphological characterizations performed by Atomic Force Microscopy and cross sectional Scanning Electron Microscopy, and the predicted results confirmed by micro-photoluminescence experiments, showing that the Ga metal nanoparticle-GaAs quantum molecule complexes are suitable for terahertz generation from intraband transition. . © 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Computing on quantum shared secrets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouyang, Yingkai; Tan, Si-Hui; Zhao, Liming; Fitzsimons, Joseph F.

2017-11-01

A (k ,n )-threshold secret-sharing scheme allows for a string to be split into n shares in such a way that any subset of at least k shares suffices to recover the secret string, but such that any subset of at most k -1 shares contains no information about the secret. Quantum secret-sharing schemes extend this idea to the sharing of quantum states. Here we propose a method of performing computation securely on quantum shared secrets. We introduce a (n ,n )-quantum secret sharing scheme together with a set of algorithms that allow quantum circuits to be evaluated securely on the shared secret without the need to decode the secret. We consider a multipartite setting, with each participant holding a share of the secret. We show that if there exists at least one honest participant, no group of dishonest participants can recover any information about the shared secret, independent of their deviations from the algorithm.

Numerical simulation of quantum efficiency and surface recombination in HgCdTe IR photon-trapping structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schuster, Jonathan; Bellotti, Enrico

2013-06-01

We have investigated the quantum effiency in HgCdTe photovoltaic pixel arrays employing a photon-trapping structure realized with a periodic array of pillars intended to provide broadband operation. We have found that the quantum efficiency depends heavily on the passivation of the pillar surface. Pillars passivated with anodicoxide have a large fixed positive charge on the pillar surface. We use our three-dimensional numerical simulation model to study the effect of surface charge and surface recombination velocity on the exterior of the pillars. We then evaluate the quantum efficiency of this structure subject to different surface conditions. We have found that by themselves, the surface charge and surface recombination are detrimental to the quantum efficiency but the quantum efficiency is recovered when both phenomena are present. We will discuss the effects of these phenomena and the trade offs that exist between the two.

Fermi Blobs and the Symplectic Camel: A Geometric Picture of Quantum States

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gossona, Maurice A. De

We have explained in previous work the correspondence between the standard squeezed coherent states of quantum mechanics, and quantum blobs, which are the smallest phase space units compatible with the uncertainty principle of quantum mechanics and having the symplectic group as a group of symmetries. In this work, we discuss the relation between quantum blobs and a certain level set (which we call "Fermi blob") introduced by Enrico Fermi in 1930. Fermi blobs allows us to extend our previous results not only to the excited states of the generalized harmonic oscillator in n dimensions, but also to arbitrary quadratic Hamiltonians. As is the case for quantum blobs, we can evaluate Fermi blobs using a topological notion, related to the uncertainty principle, the symplectic capacity of a phase space set. The definition of this notion is made possible by Gromov's symplectic non-squeezing theorem, nicknamed the "principle of the symplectic camel".

High performance mode locking characteristics of single section quantum dash lasers.

PubMed

Rosales, Ricardo; Murdoch, S G; Watts, R T; Merghem, K; Martinez, Anthony; Lelarge, Francois; Accard, Alain; Barry, L P; Ramdane, Abderrahim

2012-04-09

Mode locking features of single section quantum dash based lasers are investigated. Particular interest is given to the static spectral phase profile determining the shape of the mode locked pulses. The phase profile dependence on cavity length and injection current is experimentally evaluated, demonstrating the possibility of efficiently using the wide spectral bandwidth exhibited by these quantum dash structures for the generation of high peak power sub-picosecond pulses with low radio frequency linewidths.

Minimally complex ion traps as modules for quantum communication and computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nigmatullin, Ramil; Ballance, Christopher J.; de Beaudrap, Niel; Benjamin, Simon C.

2016-10-01

Optically linked ion traps are promising as components of network-based quantum technologies, including communication systems and modular computers. Experimental results achieved to date indicate that the fidelity of operations within each ion trap module will be far higher than the fidelity of operations involving the links; fortunately internal storage and processing can effectively upgrade the links through the process of purification. Here we perform the most detailed analysis to date on this purification task, using a protocol which is balanced to maximise fidelity while minimising the device complexity and the time cost of the process. Moreover we ‘compile down’ the quantum circuit to device-level operations including cooling and shuttling events. We find that a linear trap with only five ions (two of one species, three of another) can support our protocol while incorporating desirable features such as global control, i.e. laser control pulses need only target an entire zone rather than differentiating one ion from its neighbour. To evaluate the capabilities of such a module we consider its use both as a universal communications node for quantum key distribution, and as the basic repeating unit of a quantum computer. For the latter case we evaluate the threshold for fault tolerant quantum computing using the surface code, finding acceptable fidelities for the ‘raw’ entangling link as low as 83% (or under 75% if an additional ion is available).

Array of nanoparticles coupling with quantum-dot: Lattice plasmon quantum features

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salmanogli, Ahmad; Gecim, H. Selcuk

2018-06-01

In this study, we analyze the interaction of lattice plasmon with quantum-dot in order to mainly examine the quantum features of the lattice plasmon containing the photonic/plasmonic properties. Despite optical properties of the localized plasmon, the lattice plasmon severely depends on the array geometry, which may influence its quantum features such as uncertainty and the second-order correlation function. To investigate this interaction, we consider a closed system containing an array of the plasmonic nanoparticles and quantum-dot. We analyze this system with full quantum theory by which the array electric far field is quantized and the strength coupling of the quantum-dot array is analytically calculated. Moreover, the system's dynamics are evaluated and studied via the Heisenberg-Langevin equations to attain the system optical modes. We also analytically examine the Purcell factor, which shows the effect of the lattice plasmon on the quantum-dot spontaneous emission. Finally, the lattice plasmon uncertainty and its time evolution of the second-order correlation function at different spatial points are examined. These parameters are dramatically affected by the retarded field effect of the array nanoparticles. We found a severe quantum fluctuation at points where the lattice plasmon occurs, suggesting that the lattice plasmon photons are correlated.

Simulation of n-qubit quantum systems. III. Quantum operations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radtke, T.; Fritzsche, S.

2007-05-01

During the last decade, several quantum information protocols, such as quantum key distribution, teleportation or quantum computation, have attracted a lot of interest. Despite the recent success and research efforts in quantum information processing, however, we are just at the beginning of understanding the role of entanglement and the behavior of quantum systems in noisy environments, i.e. for nonideal implementations. Therefore, in order to facilitate the investigation of entanglement and decoherence in n-qubit quantum registers, here we present a revised version of the FEYNMAN program for working with quantum operations and their associated (Jamiołkowski) dual states. Based on the implementation of several popular decoherence models, we provide tools especially for the quantitative analysis of quantum operations. Apart from the implementation of different noise models, the current program extension may help investigate the fragility of many quantum states, one of the main obstacles in realizing quantum information protocols today. Program summaryTitle of program: Feynman Catalogue identifier: ADWE_v3_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADWE_v3_0 Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: None Operating systems: Any system that supports MAPLE; tested under Microsoft Windows XP, SuSe Linux 10 Program language used:MAPLE 10 Typical time and memory requirements: Most commands that act upon quantum registers with five or less qubits take ⩽10 seconds of processor time (on a Pentium 4 processor with ⩾2 GHz or equivalent) and 5-20 MB of memory. Especially when working with symbolic expressions, however, the memory and time requirements critically depend on the number of qubits in the quantum registers, owing to the exponential dimension growth of the associated Hilbert space. For example, complex (symbolic) noise models (with several Kraus operators) for multi-qubit systems often result in very large symbolic expressions that dramatically slow down the evaluation of measures or other quantities. In these cases, MAPLE's assume facility sometimes helps to reduce the complexity of symbolic expressions, but often only numerical evaluation is possible. Since the complexity of the FEYNMAN commands is very different, no general scaling law for the CPU time and memory usage can be given. No. of bytes in distributed program including test data, etc.: 799 265 No. of lines in distributed program including test data, etc.: 18 589 Distribution format: tar.gz Reasons for new version: While the previous program versions were designed mainly to create and manipulate the state of quantum registers, the present extension aims to support quantum operations as the essential ingredient for studying the effects of noisy environments. Does this version supersede the previous version: Yes Nature of the physical problem: Today, entanglement is identified as the essential resource in virtually all aspects of quantum information theory. In most practical implementations of quantum information protocols, however, decoherence typically limits the lifetime of entanglement. It is therefore necessary and highly desirable to understand the evolution of entanglement in noisy environments. Method of solution: Using the computer algebra system MAPLE, we have developed a set of procedures that support the definition and manipulation of n-qubit quantum registers as well as (unitary) logic gates and (nonunitary) quantum operations that act on the quantum registers. The provided hierarchy of commands can be used interactively in order to simulate and analyze the evolution of n-qubit quantum systems in ideal and nonideal quantum circuits.

Non-Gaussianity in a quasiclassical electronic circuit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Takafumi J.; Hayakawa, Hisao

2017-05-01

We study the non-Gaussian dynamics of a quasiclassical electronic circuit coupled to a mesoscopic conductor. Non-Gaussian noise accompanying the nonequilibrium transport through the conductor significantly modifies the stationary probability density function (PDF) of the flux in the dissipative circuit. We incorporate weak quantum fluctuation of the dissipative LC circuit with a stochastic method and evaluate the quantum correction of the stationary PDF. Furthermore, an inverse formula to infer the statistical properties of the non-Gaussian noise from the stationary PDF is derived in the classical-quantum crossover regime. The quantum correction is indispensable to correctly estimate the microscopic transfer events in the QPC with the quasiclassical inverse formula.

Non-Relativistic Twistor Theory and Newton-Cartan Geometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dunajski, Maciej; Gundry, James

2016-03-01

We develop a non-relativistic twistor theory, in which Newton-Cartan structures of Newtonian gravity correspond to complex three-manifolds with a four-parameter family of rational curves with normal bundle O oplus O(2)}. We show that the Newton-Cartan space-times are unstable under the general Kodaira deformation of the twistor complex structure. The Newton-Cartan connections can nevertheless be reconstructed from Merkulov's generalisation of the Kodaira map augmented by a choice of a holomorphic line bundle over the twistor space trivial on twistor lines. The Coriolis force may be incorporated by holomorphic vector bundles, which in general are non-trivial on twistor lines. The resulting geometries agree with non-relativistic limits of anti-self-dual gravitational instantons.

Charge instabilities due to local charge conjugation symmetry in /2+1 dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bais, F. A.; Striet, J.

2003-08-01

Alice electrodynamics (AED) is a theory of electrodynamics in which charge conjugation is a local gauge symmetry. In this paper we investigate a charge instability in alice electrodynamics in 2+1 dimensions due to this local charge conjugation. The instability manifests itself through the creation of a pair of alice fluxes. The final state is one in which the charge is completely delocalized, i.e., it is carried as cheshire charge by the flux pair that gets infinitely separated. We determine the decay rate in terms of the parameters of the model. The relation of this phenomenon with other salient features of 2-dimensional compact QED, such as linear confinement due to instantons/monopoles, is discussed.

θ and the η ' in large N supersymmetric QCD

DOE PAGES

Dine, Michael; Draper, Patrick; Stephenson-Haskins, Laurel; ...

2017-05-22

Here, we study the large N θ dependence and the η' potential in supersymmetric QCD with small soft SUSY-breaking terms. Known exact results in SUSY QCD are found to reflect a variety of expectations from large N perturbation theory, including the presence of branches and the behavior of theories with matter (both with N f << N and N f ~ N ). But, there are also striking departures from ordinary QCD and the conventional large N description: instanton effects, when under control, are not exponentially suppressed at large N , and branched structure in supersymmetric QCD is always associatedmore » with approximate discrete symmetries. We suggest that these differences motivate further study of large N QCD on the lattice.« less

Betti numbers of holomorphic symplectic quotients via arithmetic Fourier transform.

PubMed

Hausel, Tamás

2006-04-18

A Fourier transform technique is introduced for counting the number of solutions of holomorphic moment map equations over a finite field. This technique in turn gives information on Betti numbers of holomorphic symplectic quotients. As a consequence, simple unified proofs are obtained for formulas of Poincaré polynomials of toric hyperkähler varieties (recovering results of Bielawski-Dancer and Hausel-Sturmfels), Poincaré polynomials of Hilbert schemes of points and twisted Atiyah-Drinfeld-Hitchin-Manin (ADHM) spaces of instantons on C2 (recovering results of Nakajima-Yoshioka), and Poincaré polynomials of all Nakajima quiver varieties. As an application, a proof of a conjecture of Kac on the number of absolutely indecomposable representations of a quiver is announced.

QIPS: quantum information and quantum physics in space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmitt-Manderbach, Tobias; Scheidl, Thomas; Ursin, Rupert; Tiefenbacher, Felix; Weier, Henning; Fürst, Martin; Jennewein, T.; Perdigues, J.; Sodnik, Z.; Rarity, J.; Zeilinger, Anton; Weinfurter, Harald

2017-11-01

The aim of the QIPS project (financed by ESA) is to explore quantum phenomena and to demonstrate quantum communication over long distances. Based on the current state-of-the-art a first study investigating the feasibility of space based quantum communication has to establish goals for mid-term and long-term missions, but also has to test the feasibility of key issues in a long distance ground-to-ground experiment. We have therefore designed a proof-of-concept demonstration for establishing single photon links over a distance of 144 km between the Canary Islands of La Palma and Tenerife to evaluate main limitations for future space experiments. Here we report on the progress of this project and present first measurements of crucial parameters of the optical free space link.

Quantum corrections to quasi-periodic solution of Sine-Gordon model and periodic solution of phi4 model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwiatkowski, G.; Leble, S.

2014-03-01

Analytical form of quantum corrections to quasi-periodic solution of Sine-Gordon model and periodic solution of phi4 model is obtained through zeta function regularisation with account of all rest variables of a d-dimensional theory. Qualitative dependence of quantum corrections on parameters of the classical systems is also evaluated for a much broader class of potentials u(x) = b2f(bx) + C with b and C as arbitrary real constants.

Filamentation instability in a quantum plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bret, A.

2007-08-15

The growth rate of the filamentation instability triggered when a diluted cold electron beam passes through a cold plasma is evaluated using the quantum hydrodynamic equations. Compared with a cold fluid model, quantum effects reduce both the unstable wave vector domain and the maximum growth rate. Stabilization of large wave vector modes is always achieved, but significant reduction of the maximum growth rate depends on a dimensionless parameter that is provided. Although calculations are extended to the relativistic regime, they are mostly relevant to the nonrelativistic one.

Modeling Quantum Teleportation with Quantum Tools in Python (QuTiP)

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-12-01

FORM TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS. 1. REPORT DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) December 2017 2. REPORT TYPE Technical Report 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) June 1, 2017... technical report we evaluate one in particular, the Quantum Tools in Python (QuTiP) package, to determine its suitability for use in the simulation of...found that QuTiP is technically sound in that it is able to reproduce several published findings, and that it saves significant program design time due

Kinetic Rate Kernels via Hierarchical Liouville-Space Projection Operator Approach.

PubMed

Zhang, Hou-Dao; Yan, YiJing

2016-05-19

Kinetic rate kernels in general multisite systems are formulated on the basis of a nonperturbative quantum dissipation theory, the hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) formalism, together with the Nakajima-Zwanzig projection operator technique. The present approach exploits the HEOM-space linear algebra. The quantum non-Markovian site-to-site transfer rate can be faithfully evaluated via projected HEOM dynamics. The developed method is exact, as evident by the comparison to the direct HEOM evaluation results on the population evolution.

Novel multistep BRET-FRET energy transfer using nanoconjugates of firefly proteins, quantum dots, and red fluorescent proteins

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, Rabeka; Zylstra, Joshua; Fontaine, Danielle M.; Branchini, Bruce R.; Maye, Mathew M.

2013-05-01

Sequential bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from firefly luciferase to red fluorescent proteins using quantum dot or rod acceptor/donor linkers is described. The effect of morphology and tuned optical properties on the efficiency of this unique BRET-FRET system was evaluated.Sequential bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from firefly luciferase to red fluorescent proteins using quantum dot or rod acceptor/donor linkers is described. The effect of morphology and tuned optical properties on the efficiency of this unique BRET-FRET system was evaluated. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details, Fig. S1 and Table S1-S4. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr01842c

Quantum reinforcement learning.

PubMed

Dong, Daoyi; Chen, Chunlin; Li, Hanxiong; Tarn, Tzyh-Jong

2008-10-01

The key approaches for machine learning, particularly learning in unknown probabilistic environments, are new representations and computation mechanisms. In this paper, a novel quantum reinforcement learning (QRL) method is proposed by combining quantum theory and reinforcement learning (RL). Inspired by the state superposition principle and quantum parallelism, a framework of a value-updating algorithm is introduced. The state (action) in traditional RL is identified as the eigen state (eigen action) in QRL. The state (action) set can be represented with a quantum superposition state, and the eigen state (eigen action) can be obtained by randomly observing the simulated quantum state according to the collapse postulate of quantum measurement. The probability of the eigen action is determined by the probability amplitude, which is updated in parallel according to rewards. Some related characteristics of QRL such as convergence, optimality, and balancing between exploration and exploitation are also analyzed, which shows that this approach makes a good tradeoff between exploration and exploitation using the probability amplitude and can speedup learning through the quantum parallelism. To evaluate the performance and practicability of QRL, several simulated experiments are given, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the QRL algorithm for some complex problems. This paper is also an effective exploration on the application of quantum computation to artificial intelligence.

Therapeutic Effects of Oligonol, Acupuncture, and Quantum Light Therapy in Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis

PubMed Central

Öztekin, İlhan; Akdere, Hakan; Can, Nuray; Aktoz, Tevfik; Turan, Fatma Nesrin

2015-01-01

This research aimed to compare anti-inflammatory effects of oligonol, acupuncture, and quantum light therapy in rat models of estrogen-induced prostatitis. Adult male Wistar albino rats were grouped as follows: Group I, control (n = 10); Group II, chronic prostatitis (n = 10); Group III, oligonol (n = 10); Group IV, acupuncture (n = 10); Group V, quantum (n = 10); Group VI, oligonol plus quantum (n = 10); Group VII, acupuncture plus oligonol (n = 10); Group VIII, quantum plus acupuncture (n = 10); and Group IX, acupuncture plus quantum plus oligonol (n = 10). Chronic prostatitis (CP) was induced by the administration of 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Oligonol was given for 6 weeks at a dose of 60 mg/day. Acupuncture needles were inserted at CV 3/4 and bilaterally B 32/35 points with 1-hour manual stimulation. Quantum therapy was administered in 5-minute sessions three times weekly for 6 weeks. Lateral lobes of prostates were dissected for histopathologic evaluation. Although all of the treatment modalities tested in this study showed anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of CP in male rats, a synergistic effect was observed for oligonol plus quantum light combination. Monotherapy with oligonol showed a superior anti-inflammatory efficacy as compared to quantum light and acupuncture monotherapies. PMID:26064171

Experimental benchmarking of quantum control in zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance.

PubMed

Jiang, Min; Wu, Teng; Blanchard, John W; Feng, Guanru; Peng, Xinhua; Budker, Dmitry

2018-06-01

Demonstration of coherent control and characterization of the control fidelity is important for the development of quantum architectures such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We introduce an experimental approach to realize universal quantum control, and benchmarking thereof, in zero-field NMR, an analog of conventional high-field NMR that features less-constrained spin dynamics. We design a composite pulse technique for both arbitrary one-spin rotations and a two-spin controlled-not (CNOT) gate in a heteronuclear two-spin system at zero field, which experimentally demonstrates universal quantum control in such a system. Moreover, using quantum information-inspired randomized benchmarking and partial quantum process tomography, we evaluate the quality of the control, achieving single-spin control for 13 C with an average fidelity of 0.9960(2) and two-spin control via a CNOT gate with a fidelity of 0.9877(2). Our method can also be extended to more general multispin heteronuclear systems at zero field. The realization of universal quantum control in zero-field NMR is important for quantum state/coherence preparation, pulse sequence design, and is an essential step toward applications to materials science, chemical analysis, and fundamental physics.

Experimental benchmarking of quantum control in zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance

PubMed Central

Feng, Guanru

2018-01-01

Demonstration of coherent control and characterization of the control fidelity is important for the development of quantum architectures such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We introduce an experimental approach to realize universal quantum control, and benchmarking thereof, in zero-field NMR, an analog of conventional high-field NMR that features less-constrained spin dynamics. We design a composite pulse technique for both arbitrary one-spin rotations and a two-spin controlled-not (CNOT) gate in a heteronuclear two-spin system at zero field, which experimentally demonstrates universal quantum control in such a system. Moreover, using quantum information–inspired randomized benchmarking and partial quantum process tomography, we evaluate the quality of the control, achieving single-spin control for 13C with an average fidelity of 0.9960(2) and two-spin control via a CNOT gate with a fidelity of 0.9877(2). Our method can also be extended to more general multispin heteronuclear systems at zero field. The realization of universal quantum control in zero-field NMR is important for quantum state/coherence preparation, pulse sequence design, and is an essential step toward applications to materials science, chemical analysis, and fundamental physics. PMID:29922714

A Quantum-Based Similarity Method in Virtual Screening.

PubMed

Al-Dabbagh, Mohammed Mumtaz; Salim, Naomie; Himmat, Mubarak; Ahmed, Ali; Saeed, Faisal

2015-10-02

One of the most widely-used techniques for ligand-based virtual screening is similarity searching. This study adopted the concepts of quantum mechanics to present as state-of-the-art similarity method of molecules inspired from quantum theory. The representation of molecular compounds in mathematical quantum space plays a vital role in the development of quantum-based similarity approach. One of the key concepts of quantum theory is the use of complex numbers. Hence, this study proposed three various techniques to embed and to re-represent the molecular compounds to correspond with complex numbers format. The quantum-based similarity method that developed in this study depending on complex pure Hilbert space of molecules called Standard Quantum-Based (SQB). The recall of retrieved active molecules were at top 1% and top 5%, and significant test is used to evaluate our proposed methods. The MDL drug data report (MDDR), maximum unbiased validation (MUV) and Directory of Useful Decoys (DUD) data sets were used for experiments and were represented by 2D fingerprints. Simulated virtual screening experiment show that the effectiveness of SQB method was significantly increased due to the role of representational power of molecular compounds in complex numbers forms compared to Tanimoto benchmark similarity measure.

A quantum physical design flow using ILP and graph drawing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yazdani, Maryam; Saheb Zamani, Morteza; Sedighi, Mehdi

2013-10-01

Implementing large-scale quantum circuits is one of the challenges of quantum computing. One of the central challenges of accurately modeling the architecture of these circuits is to schedule a quantum application and generate the layout while taking into account the cost of communications and classical resources as well as the maximum exploitable parallelism. In this paper, we present and evaluate a design flow for arbitrary quantum circuits in ion trap technology. Our design flow consists of two parts. First, a scheduler takes a description of a circuit and finds the best order for the execution of its quantum gates using integer linear programming regarding the classical resources (qubits) and instruction dependencies. Then a layout generator receives the schedule produced by the scheduler and generates a layout for this circuit using a graph-drawing algorithm. Our experimental results show that the proposed flow decreases the average latency of quantum circuits by about 11 % for a set of attempted benchmarks and by about 9 % for another set of benchmarks compared with the best in literature.

Microscopic observation of carrier-transport dynamics in quantum-structure solar cells using a time-of-flight technique

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Toprasertpong, Kasidit; Fujii, Hiromasa; Sugiyama, Masakazu

2015-07-27

In this study, we propose a carrier time-of-flight technique to evaluate the carrier transport time across a quantum structure in an active region of solar cells. By observing the time-resolved photoluminescence signal with a quantum-well probe inserted under the quantum structure at forward bias, the carrier transport time can be efficiently determined at room temperature. The averaged drift velocity shows linear dependence on the internal field, allowing us to estimate the quantum structure as a quasi-bulk material with low effective mobility containing the information of carrier dynamics. We show that this direct and real-time observation is more sensitive to carriermore » transport than other conventional techniques, providing better insights into microscopic carrier transport dynamics to overcome a device design difficulty.« less

Realization of the three-qubit quantum controlled gate based on matching Hermitian generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gautam, Kumar; Rawat, Tarun Kumar; Parthasarathy, Harish; Sharma, Navneet; Upadhyaya, Varun

2017-05-01

This paper deals with the design of quantum unitary gate by matching the Hermitian generators. A given complicated quantum controlled gate is approximated by perturbing a simple quantum system with a small time-varying potential. The basic idea is to evaluate the generator H_φ of the perturbed system approximately using first-order perturbation theory in the interaction picture. H_φ depends on a modulating signal φ(t){:} 0≤t≤T which modulates a known potential V. The generator H_φ of the given gate U_g is evaluated using H_g=ι log U_g. The optimal modulating signal φ(t) is chosen so that \\Vert H_g - H_φ \\Vert is a minimum. The simple quantum system chosen for our simulation is harmonic oscillator with charge perturbed by an electric field that is a constant in space but time varying and is controlled externally. This is used to approximate the controlled unitary gate obtained by perturbing the oscillator with an anharmonic term proportional to q^3. Simulations results show significantly small noise-to-signal ratio. Finally, we discuss how the proposed method is particularly suitable for designing some commonly used unitary gates. Another example was chosen to illustrate this method of gate design is the ion-trap model.

Multipartite quantum correlations and local recoverability

PubMed Central

Wilde, Mark M.

2015-01-01

Characterizing genuine multipartite quantum correlations in quantum physical systems has historically been a challenging problem in quantum information theory. More recently, however, the total correlation or multipartite information measure has been helpful in accomplishing this goal, especially with the multipartite symmetric quantum (MSQ) discord (Piani et al. 2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 090502. (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.090502)) and the conditional entanglement of multipartite information (CEMI) (Yang et al. 2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 140501. (doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.140501)). Here, we apply a recent and significant improvement of strong subadditivity of quantum entropy (Fawzi & Renner 2014 (http://arxiv.org/abs/1410.0664)) in order to develop these quantities further. In particular, we prove that the MSQ discord is nearly equal to zero if and only if the multipartite state for which it is evaluated is approximately locally recoverable after performing measurements on each of its systems. Furthermore, we prove that the CEMI is a faithful entanglement measure, i.e. it vanishes if and only if the multipartite state for which it is evaluated is a fully separable state. Along the way, we provide an operational interpretation of the MSQ discord in terms of the partial state distribution protocol, which in turn, as a special case, gives an interpretation for the original discord quantity. Finally, we prove an inequality that could potentially improve upon the Fawzi–Renner inequality in the multipartite context, but it remains an open question to determine whether this is so. PMID:27547097

BOOK REVIEW: Modern Supersymmetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulish, Petr P.

2006-12-01

We have spent more than twenty years applying supersymmetry (SUSY) to elementary particle physics and attempting to find an experimental manifestation of this symmetry. Terning's monograph demonstrates the strong influence of SUSY on theoretical elaborations in the field of elementary particles. It gives both an overview of modern supersymmetry in elementary particle physics and calculation techniques. The author, trying to be closer to applications of SUSY in the real world of elementary particles, is also anticipating the importance of supersymmetry for rigorous study of nonperturbative phenomena in quantum field theory. In particular, he presents the `exact' SUSY β function using instanton methods, phenomena of anomalies and dualities. Supersymmetry algebra is introduced by adding two anticommuting spinor generators to Poincaré algebra and by presenting massive and massless supermultiplets of its representations. The author prefers to use mostly the component description of field contents of the theories in question rather than the superfield formalism. Such a style makes the account closer to physical chartacteristics. Relations required by SUSY among β functions of the gauge, Yukawa and quartic interactions are checked by direct calculations as well as to all orders in perturbation theory, thus demonstrating that SUSY survives quantization. A discussion is included of the hierarchy problem of different scales of weak and strong interactions and its possible solution by the minimal supersymmetric standard model. Different SUSY breaking mechanisms are presented corresponding to a realistic phenomenology. The monograph can also be considered as a guide to `duality' relations connecting different SUSY gauge theories, supergravities and superstrings. This is demonstrated referring to the particular properties and characteristics of these theories (field contents, scaling dimensions of appropriate operators etc). In particular, the last chapter deals with the AdS/CFT correspondence. The author explains clearly most of the arguments in discussions and refers for further details to original papers (with corresponding arXiv numbers), selected lists of which appear at the end of each chapter (there are more than 300 references in the book). Considered as a whole the book covers primers on quantum fields, Feynman diagrams, renormalization procedure and renormalization groups, as well as the representation theory of classical linear Lie algebras. Some necessary information on irreducible representations of su(N), so(N) and sp(2N) is given in an appendix. There are in the text short historical and biographical notes concerning those scientists who made important contributions to the subject of the monograph: S Coleman, Yu Golfand, E Witten and others. Most of the seventeen chapters contain a few exercises to check the reader's understanding of the corresponding material. This monograph will be useful for graduate students and researchers in the field of elementary particles.

Quantum interactive learning tutorial on the double-slit experiment to improve student understanding of quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sayer, Ryan; Maries, Alexandru; Singh, Chandralekha

2017-06-01

Learning quantum mechanics is challenging, even for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students. Research-validated interactive tutorials that build on students' prior knowledge can be useful tools to enhance student learning. We have been investigating student difficulties with quantum mechanics pertaining to the double-slit experiment in various situations that appear to be counterintuitive and contradict classical notions of particles and waves. For example, if we send single electrons through the slits, they may behave as a "wave" in part of the experiment and as a "particle" in another part of the same experiment. Here we discuss the development and evaluation of a research-validated Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial (QuILT) which makes use of an interactive simulation to improve student understanding of the double-slit experiment and strives to help students develop a good grasp of foundational issues in quantum mechanics. We discuss common student difficulties identified during the development and evaluation of the QuILT and analyze the data from the pretest and post test administered to the upper-level undergraduate and first-year physics graduate students before and after they worked on the QuILT to assess its effectiveness. These data suggest that on average, the QuILT was effective in helping students develop a more robust understanding of foundational concepts in quantum mechanics that defy classical intuition using the context of the double-slit experiment. Moreover, upper-level undergraduates outperformed physics graduate students on the post test. One possible reason for this difference in performance may be the level of student engagement with the QuILT due to the grade incentive. In the undergraduate course, the post test was graded for correctness while in the graduate course, it was only graded for completeness.

Quantum Dynamics in Biological Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, Sangwoo

In the first part of this dissertation, recent efforts to understand quantum mechanical effects in biological systems are discussed. Especially, long-lived quantum coherences observed during the electronic energy transfer process in the Fenna-Matthews-Olson complex at physiological condition are studied extensively using theories of open quantum systems. In addition to the usual master equation based approaches, the effect of the protein structure is investigated in atomistic detail through the combined application of quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics simulations. To evaluate the thermalized reduced density matrix, a path-integral Monte Carlo method with a novel importance sampling approach is developed for excitons coupled to an arbitrary phonon bath at a finite temperature. In the second part of the thesis, simulations of molecular systems and applications to vibrational spectra are discussed. First, the quantum dynamics of a molecule is simulated by combining semiclassical initial value representation and density funcitonal theory with analytic derivatives. A computationally-tractable approximation to the sum-of-states formalism of Raman spectra is subsequently discussed.

Optimum quantum receiver for detecting weak signals in PAM communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Navneet; Rawat, Tarun Kumar; Parthasarathy, Harish; Gautam, Kumar

2017-09-01

This paper deals with the modeling of an optimum quantum receiver for pulse amplitude modulator (PAM) communication systems. The information bearing sequence {I_k}_{k=0}^{N-1} is estimated using the maximum likelihood (ML) method. The ML method is based on quantum mechanical measurements of an observable X in the Hilbert space of the quantum system at discrete times, when the Hamiltonian of the system is perturbed by an operator obtained by modulating a potential V with a PAM signal derived from the information bearing sequence {I_k}_{k=0}^{N-1}. The measurement process at each time instant causes collapse of the system state to an observable eigenstate. All probabilities of getting different outcomes from an observable are calculated using the perturbed evolution operator combined with the collapse postulate. For given probability densities, calculation of the mean square error evaluates the performance of the receiver. Finally, we present an example involving estimating an information bearing sequence that modulates a quantum electromagnetic field incident on a quantum harmonic oscillator.

Topical review: spins and mechanics in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Donghun; Lee, Kenneth W.; Cady, Jeffrey V.; Ovartchaiyapong, Preeti; Bleszynski Jayich, Ania C.

2017-03-01

There has been rapidly growing interest in hybrid quantum devices involving a solid-state spin and a macroscopic mechanical oscillator. Such hybrid devices create exciting opportunities to mediate interactions between disparate quantum bits (qubits) and to explore the quantum regime of macroscopic mechanical objects. In particular, a system consisting of the nitrogen-vacancy defect center (NV center) in diamond coupled to a high-quality-factor mechanical oscillator is an appealing candidate for such a hybrid quantum device, as it utilizes the highly coherent and versatile spin properties of the defect center. In this paper, we will review recent experimental progress on diamond-based hybrid quantum devices in which the spin and orbital dynamics of single defects are driven by the motion of a mechanical oscillator. In addition, we discuss prospective applications for this device, including long-range, phonon-mediated spin-spin interactions, and phonon cooling in the quantum regime. We conclude the review by evaluating the experimental limitations of current devices and identifying alternative device architectures that may reach the strong coupling regime.

Oblique propagation of E.M. wave in magnetized quantum plasma with two different spin states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Punit; Ahmad, Nafees; Singh, Shiv

2018-05-01

The dispersion relation for the oblique propagation of electromagnetic wave in high density homogeneous quantum plasma is established. The growth rate has been evaluated. The difference in the concentration of spin-up and spin-down electrons have taken in to account and effects of spin polarization is analyzed.

The Effect of Isotopic Substitution on Quantum Proton Transfer Across Short Water Bridges in Biological Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blazejewski, Jacob; Schultz, Chase; Mazzuca, James

2015-03-01

Many biological systems utilize water chains to transfer charge over long distances by means of an excess proton. This study examines how quantum effects impact these reactions in a small model system. The model consists of a water molecule situated between an imidazole donor and acceptor group, which simulate a fixed amino acid backbone. A one dimensional energy profile is evaluated using density functional theory at the 6-31G*/B3LYP level, which generates a barrier with a width of 0.6 Å and a height of 20.7 kcal/mol. Quantum transmission probability is evaluated by solving the time dependent Schrödinger equation on a grid. Isotopic effects are examined by performing calculations with both hydrogen and deuterium. The ratio of hydrogen over the deuterium shows a 130-fold increase in transmission probability at low temperatures. This indicates a substantial quantum tunneling effect. The study of higher dimensional systems as well as increasing the number of water molecules in the chain will be necessary to fully describe the proton transfer process. Alma College Provost's Office.

Evaluating charge noise acting on semiconductor quantum dots in the circuit quantum electrodynamics architecture

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Basset, J.; Stockklauser, A.; Jarausch, D.-D.

2014-08-11

We evaluate the charge noise acting on a GaAs/GaAlAs based semiconductor double quantum dot dipole-coupled to the voltage oscillations of a superconducting transmission line resonator. The in-phase (I) and the quadrature (Q) components of the microwave tone transmitted through the resonator are sensitive to charging events in the surrounding environment of the double dot with an optimum sensitivity of 8.5×10{sup −5} e/√(Hz). A low frequency 1/f type noise spectrum combined with a white noise level of 6.6×10{sup −6} e{sup 2}/Hz above 1 Hz is extracted, consistent with previous results obtained with quantum point contact charge detectors on similar heterostructures. The slope ofmore » the 1/f noise allows to extract a lower bound for the double-dot charge qubit dephasing rate which we compare to the one extracted from a Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian approach. The two rates are found to be similar emphasizing that charge noise is the main source of dephasing in our system.« less

Design of Improved Arithmetic Logic Unit in Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heikalabad, Saeed Rasouli; Gadim, Mahya Rahimpour

2018-06-01

The quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) can be replaced to overcome the limitation of CMOS technology. An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a basic structure of any computer devices. In this paper, design of improved single-bit arithmetic logic unit in quantum dot cellular automata is presented. The proposed structure for ALU has AND, OR, XOR and ADD operations. A unique 2:1 multiplexer, an ultra-efficient two-input XOR and a low complexity full adder are used in the proposed structure. Also, an extended design of this structure is provided for two-bit ALU in this paper. The proposed structure of ALU is simulated by QCADesigner and simulation result is evaluated. Evaluation results show that the proposed design has best performance in terms of area, complexity and delay compared to the previous designs.

Design of Improved Arithmetic Logic Unit in Quantum-Dot Cellular Automata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heikalabad, Saeed Rasouli; Gadim, Mahya Rahimpour

2018-03-01

The quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) can be replaced to overcome the limitation of CMOS technology. An arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a basic structure of any computer devices. In this paper, design of improved single-bit arithmetic logic unit in quantum dot cellular automata is presented. The proposed structure for ALU has AND, OR, XOR and ADD operations. A unique 2:1 multiplexer, an ultra-efficient two-input XOR and a low complexity full adder are used in the proposed structure. Also, an extended design of this structure is provided for two-bit ALU in this paper. The proposed structure of ALU is simulated by QCADesigner and simulation result is evaluated. Evaluation results show that the proposed design has best performance in terms of area, complexity and delay compared to the previous designs.

Vibration-translation energy transfer in anharmonic diatomic molecules. 2: The vibrational quantum number dependence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mckenzie, R. L.

1975-01-01

A semiclassical model of the inelastic collision between a vibrationally excited anharmonic oscillator and a structureless atom was used to predict the variation of thermally averaged vibration-translation rate coefficients with temperature and initial-state quantum number. Multiple oscillator states were included in a numerical solution for collinear encounters. The results are compared with CO-He experimental values for both ground and excited initial states using several simplified forms of the interaction potential. The numerical model was also used as a basis for evaluating several less complete but analytic models. Two computationally simple analytic approximations were found that successfully reproduced the numerical rate coefficients for a wide range of molecular properties and collision partners. Their limitations were also identified. The relative rates of multiple-quantum transitions from excited states were evaluated for several molecular types.

Generic framework for the secure Yuen 2000 quantum-encryption protocol employing the wire-tap channel approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mihaljevic, Miodrag J.

2007-05-15

It is shown that the security, against known-plaintext attacks, of the Yuen 2000 (Y00) quantum-encryption protocol can be considered via the wire-tap channel model assuming that the heterodyne measurement yields the sample for security evaluation. Employing the results reported on the wire-tap channel, a generic framework is proposed for developing secure Y00 instantiations. The proposed framework employs a dedicated encoding which together with inherent quantum noise at the attacker's side provides Y00 security.

Coupling strategies for coherent operation of quantum cascade ring laser arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwarzer, Clemens; Yao, Y.; Mujagić, E.; Ahn, S.; Schrenk, W.; Chen, J.; Gmachl, C.; Strasser, G.

2011-12-01

We report the design, fabrication and operation of coherently coupled ring cavity surface emitting quantum cascade lasers, emitting at wavelength around 8 μm. Special emphasis is placed on the evaluation of optimal coupling approaches and corresponding parameters. Evanescent field coupling as well as direct coupling where both devices are physically connected is presented. Furthermore, exploiting the Vernier-effect was used to obtain enhanced mode selectivity and robust coherent coupling of two ring-type quantum cascade lasers. Investigations were performed at pulsed room-temperature operation.

Evaluating the coherence and time-domain profile of quantum cascade laser frequency combs

DOE PAGES

Burghoff, David; Yang, Yang; Hayton, Darren J.; ...

2015-01-01

Recently, much attention has been focused on the generation of optical frequency combs from quantum cascade lasers. We discuss how fast detectors can be used to demonstrate the mutual coherence of such combs, and present an inequality that can be used to quantitatively evaluate their performance. We discuss several technical issues related to shifted wave interference Fourier Transform spectroscopy (SWIFTS), and show how such measurements can be used to elucidate the time-domain properties of such combs, showing that they can possess signatures of both frequency-modulation and amplitude-modulation.

An approach for generating trajectory-based dynamics which conserves the canonical distribution in the phase space formulation of quantum mechanics. II. Thermal correlation functions.

PubMed

Liu, Jian; Miller, William H

2011-03-14

We show the exact expression of the quantum mechanical time correlation function in the phase space formulation of quantum mechanics. The trajectory-based dynamics that conserves the quantum canonical distribution-equilibrium Liouville dynamics (ELD) proposed in Paper I is then used to approximately evaluate the exact expression. It gives exact thermal correlation functions (of even nonlinear operators, i.e., nonlinear functions of position or momentum operators) in the classical, high temperature, and harmonic limits. Various methods have been presented for the implementation of ELD. Numerical tests of the ELD approach in the Wigner or Husimi phase space have been made for a harmonic oscillator and two strongly anharmonic model problems, for each potential autocorrelation functions of both linear and nonlinear operators have been calculated. It suggests ELD can be a potentially useful approach for describing quantum effects for complex systems in condense phase.

First-principles engineering of charged defects for two-dimensional quantum technologies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Feng; Galatas, Andrew; Sundararaman, Ravishankar; Rocca, Dario; Ping, Yuan

2017-12-01

Charged defects in two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerging applications in quantum technologies such as quantum emitters and quantum computation. The advancement of these technologies requires a rational design of ideal defect centers, demanding reliable computation methods for the quantitatively accurate prediction of defect properties. We present an accurate, parameter-free, and efficient procedure to evaluate the quasiparticle defect states and thermodynamic charge transition levels of defects in 2D materials. Importantly, we solve critical issues that stem from the strongly anisotropic screening in 2D materials, that have so far precluded the accurate prediction of charge transition levels in these materials. Using this procedure, we investigate various defects in monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h -BN ) for their charge transition levels, stable spin states, and optical excitations. We identify CBVN (nitrogen vacancy adjacent to carbon substitution of boron) to be the most promising defect candidate for scalable quantum bit and emitter applications.

Resource-aware system architecture model for implementation of quantum aided Byzantine agreement on quantum repeater networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taherkhani, Mohammand Amin; Navi, Keivan; Van Meter, Rodney

2018-01-01

Quantum aided Byzantine agreement is an important distributed quantum algorithm with unique features in comparison to classical deterministic and randomized algorithms, requiring only a constant expected number of rounds in addition to giving a higher level of security. In this paper, we analyze details of the high level multi-party algorithm, and propose elements of the design for the quantum architecture and circuits required at each node to run the algorithm on a quantum repeater network (QRN). Our optimization techniques have reduced the quantum circuit depth by 44% and the number of qubits in each node by 20% for a minimum five-node setup compared to the design based on the standard arithmetic circuits. These improvements lead to a quantum system architecture with 160 qubits per node, space-time product (an estimate of the required fidelity) {KQ}≈ 1.3× {10}5 per node and error threshold 1.1× {10}-6 for the total nodes in the network. The evaluation of the designed architecture shows that to execute the algorithm once on the minimum setup, we need to successfully distribute a total of 648 Bell pairs across the network, spread evenly between all pairs of nodes. This framework can be considered a starting point for establishing a road-map for light-weight demonstration of a distributed quantum application on QRNs.

Moving branes in the presence of background tachyon fields

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rezaei, Z., E-mail: z.rezaei@aut.ac.ir; Kamani, D., E-mail: kamani@aut.ac.ir

2011-12-15

We compute the boundary state associated with a moving Dp-brane in the presence of the open string tachyon field as a background field. The effect of the tachyon condensation on the boundary state is discussed. It leads to a boundary state associated with a lower-dimensional moving D-brane or a stationary instantonic D-brane. The former originates from condensation along the spatial directions and the latter comes from the temporal direction of the D-brane worldvolume. Using the boundary state, we also study the interaction amplitude between two arbitrary Dp{sub 1}- and Dp{sub 2}-branes. The long-range behavior of the amplitude is investigated, demonstratingmore » an obvious deviation from the conventional form, due to the presence of the background tachyon field.« less

QCD In Extreme Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilczek, Frank

Introduction Symmetry and the Phenomena of QCD Apparent and Actual Symmetries Asymptotic Freedom Confinement Chiral Symmetry Breaking Chiral Anomalies and Instantons High Temperature QCD: Asymptotic Properties Significance of High Temperature QCD Numerical Indications for Quasi-Free Behavior Ideas About Quark-Gluon Plasma Screening Versus Confinement Models of Chiral Symmetry Breaking More Refined Numerical Experiments High-Temperature QCD: Phase Transitions Yoga of Phase Transitions and Order Parameters Application to Glue Theories Application to Chiral Transitions Close Up on Two Flavors A Genuine Critical Point! (?) High-Density QCD: Methods Hopes, Doubts, and Fruition Another Renormalization Group Pairing Theory Taming the Magnetic Singularity High-Density QCD: Color-Flavor Locking and Quark-Hadron Continuity Gauge Symmetry (Non)Breaking Symmetry Accounting Elementary Excitations A Modified Photon Quark-Hadron Continuity Remembrance of Things Past More Quarks Fewer Quarks and Reality

The topological susceptibility in finite temperature QCD and axion cosmology

DOE PAGES

Petreczky, Peter; Schadler, Hans-Peter; Sharma, Sayantan

2016-10-06

We study the topological susceptibility in 2+1 flavor QCD above the chiral crossover transition temperature using Highly Improved Staggered Quark action and several lattice spacings corresponding to temporal extent of the lattice, N τ=6,8,10 and 12. We observe very distinct temperature dependences of the topological susceptibility in the ranges above and below 250MeV. While for temperatures above 250MeV, the dependence is found to be consistent with dilute instanton gas approximation, at lower temperatures the fall-off of topological susceptibility is milder. We discuss the consequence of our results for cosmology wherein we estimate the bounds on the axion decay constant andmore » the oscillation temperature if indeed the QCD axion is a possible dark matter candidate.« less

The topological susceptibility in finite temperature QCD and axion cosmology

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Petreczky, Peter; Schadler, Hans-Peter; Sharma, Sayantan

We study the topological susceptibility in 2+1 flavor QCD above the chiral crossover transition temperature using Highly Improved Staggered Quark action and several lattice spacings corresponding to temporal extent of the lattice, N τ=6,8,10 and 12. We observe very distinct temperature dependences of the topological susceptibility in the ranges above and below 250MeV. While for temperatures above 250MeV, the dependence is found to be consistent with dilute instanton gas approximation, at lower temperatures the fall-off of topological susceptibility is milder. We discuss the consequence of our results for cosmology wherein we estimate the bounds on the axion decay constant andmore » the oscillation temperature if indeed the QCD axion is a possible dark matter candidate.« less

Statistical properties of Charney-Hasegawa-Mima zonal flows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Anderson, Johan, E-mail: anderson.johan@gmail.com; Botha, G. J. J.

2015-05-15

A theoretical interpretation of numerically generated probability density functions (PDFs) of intermittent plasma transport events in unforced zonal flows is provided within the Charney-Hasegawa-Mima (CHM) model. The governing equation is solved numerically with various prescribed density gradients that are designed to produce different configurations of parallel and anti-parallel streams. Long-lasting vortices form whose flow is governed by the zonal streams. It is found that the numerically generated PDFs can be matched with analytical predictions of PDFs based on the instanton method by removing the autocorrelations from the time series. In many instances, the statistics generated by the CHM dynamics relaxesmore » to Gaussian distributions for both the electrostatic and vorticity perturbations, whereas in areas with strong nonlinear interactions it is found that the PDFs are exponentially distributed.« less

Torus Knot Polynomials and Susy Wilson Loops

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giasemidis, Georgios; Tierz, Miguel

2014-12-01

We give, using an explicit expression obtained in (Jones V, Ann Math 126:335, 1987), a basic hypergeometric representation of the HOMFLY polynomial of ( n, m) torus knots, and present a number of equivalent expressions, all related by Heine's transformations. Using this result, the symmetry and the leading polynomial at large N are explicit. We show the latter to be the Wilson loop of 2d Yang-Mills theory on the plane. In addition, after taking one winding to infinity, it becomes the Wilson loop in the zero instanton sector of the 2d Yang-Mills theory, which is known to give averages of Wilson loops in = 4 SYM theory. We also give, using matrix models, an interpretation of the HOMFLY polynomial and the corresponding Jones-Rosso representation in terms of q-harmonic oscillators.

Surface operators in 5d gauge theories and duality relations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashok, S. K.; Billò, M.; Dell'Aquila, E.; Frau, M.; Gupta, V.; John, R. R.; Lerda, A.

2018-05-01

We study half-BPS surface operators in 5d N = 1 gauge theories compactified on a circle. Using localization methods and the twisted chiral ring relations of coupled 3d/5d quiver gauge theories, we calculate the twisted chiral superpotential that governs the infrared properties of these surface operators. We make a detailed analysis of the localization integrand, and by comparing with the results from the twisted chiral ring equations, we obtain constraints on the 3d and 5d Chern-Simons levels so that the instanton partition function does not depend on the choice of integration contour. For these values of the Chern-Simons couplings, we comment on how the distinct quiver theories that realize the same surface operator are related to each other by Aharony-Seiberg dualities.

Semiclassical evaluation of quantum fidelity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanicek, Jiri

2004-03-01

We present a numerically feasible semiclassical method to evaluate quantum fidelity (Loschmidt echo) in a classically chaotic system. It was thought that such evaluation would be intractable, but instead we show that a uniform semiclassical expression not only is tractable but it gives remarkably accurate numerical results for the standard map in both the Fermi-golden-rule and Lyapunov regimes. Because it allows a Monte-Carlo evaluation, this uniform expression is accurate at times where there are 10^70 semiclassical contributions. Remarkably, the method also explicitly contains the ``building blocks'' of analytical theories of recent literature, and thus permits a direct test of approximations made by other authors in these regimes, rather than an a posteriori comparison with numerical results. We explain in more detail the extended validity of the classical perturbation approximation and thus provide a ``defense" of the linear response theory from the famous Van Kampen objection. We point out the potential use of our uniform expression in other areas because it gives a most direct link between the quantum Feynman propagator based on the path integral and the semiclassical Van Vleck propagator based on the sum over classical trajectories. Finally, we test the applicability of our method in integrable and mixed systems.

Quantum Metric of Classic Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machusky, Eugene

2017-09-01

By methods of differential geometry and number theory the following has been established: All fundamental physical constants are the medians of quasi-harmonic functions of relative space and relative time. Basic quantum units are, in fact, the gradients of normal distribution of standing waves between the points of pulsating spherical spiral, which are determined only by functional bonds of transcendental numbers PI and E. Analytically obtained values of rotational speed, translational velocity, vibrational speed, background temperature and molar mass give the possibility to evaluate all basic quantum units with practically unlimited accuracy. Metric of quantum physics really is two-dimensional image of motion of waves in three-dimensional space. Standard physical model is correct, but SI metric system is insufficiently exact at submillimeter distances.

The Impact of Quantum Theoretical Models of Consciousness on the Study of Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andris, James F.

This paper abstracts and discusses the approaches of five educational theorists who have used quantum theory as a model for educational phenomena, sets forth and uses metatheoretical criteria to evaluate the work of these theorists, and states guidelines for further work in this domain. The paper abstracts and discusses the works of the following…

Quantum field between moving mirrors: A three dimensional example

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hacyan, S.; Jauregui, Roco; Villarreal, Carlos

1995-01-01

The scalar quantum field uniformly moving plates in three dimensional space is studied. Field equations for Dirichlet boundary conditions are solved exactly. Comparison of the resulting wavefunctions with their instantaneous static counterpart is performed via Bogolubov coefficients. Unlike the one dimensional problem, 'particle' creation as well as squeezing may occur. The time dependent Casimir energy is also evaluated.

Quantifying non-Gaussianity for quantum information

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Genoni, Marco G.; Paris, Matteo G. A.

2010-11-01

We address the quantification of non-Gaussianity (nG) of states and operations in continuous-variable systems and its use in quantum information. We start by illustrating in detail the properties and the relationships of two recently proposed measures of nG based on the Hilbert-Schmidt distance and the quantum relative entropy (QRE) between the state under examination and a reference Gaussian state. We then evaluate the non-Gaussianities of several families of non-Gaussian quantum states and show that the two measures have the same basic properties and also share the same qualitative behavior in most of the examples taken into account. However, we also show that they introduce a different relation of order; that is, they are not strictly monotone to each other. We exploit the nG measures for states in order to introduce a measure of nG for quantum operations, to assess Gaussification and de-Gaussification protocols, and to investigate in detail the role played by nG in entanglement-distillation protocols. Besides, we exploit the QRE-based nG measure to provide different insight on the extremality of Gaussian states for some entropic quantities such as conditional entropy, mutual information, and the Holevo bound. We also deal with parameter estimation and present a theorem connecting the QRE nG to the quantum Fisher information. Finally, since evaluation of the QRE nG measure requires the knowledge of the full density matrix, we derive some experimentally friendly lower bounds to nG for some classes of states and by considering the possibility of performing on the states only certain efficient or inefficient measurements.

Nuclear Quantum Effects in Water and Aqueous Systems: Experiment, Theory, and Current Challenges

DOE PAGES

Ceriotti, Michele; Fang, Wei; Kusalik, Peter G.; ...

2016-04-06

Nuclear quantum effects influence the structure and dynamics of hydrogen bonded systems, such as water, which impacts their observed properties with widely varying magnitudes. This review highlights the recent significant developments in the experiment, theory and simulation of nuclear quantum effects in water. Novel experimental techniques, such as deep inelastic neutron scattering, now provide a detailed view of the role of nuclear quantum effects in water’s properties. These have been combined with theoretical developments such as the introduction of the competing quantum effects principle that allows the subtle interplay of water’s quantum effects and their manifestation in experimental observables tomore » be explained. We discuss how this principle has recently been used to explain the apparent dichotomy in water’s isotope effects, which can range from very large to almost nonexistent depending on the property and conditions. We then review the latest major developments in simulation algorithms and theory that have enabled the efficient inclusion of nuclear quantum effects in molecular simulations, permitting their combination with on-the-fly evaluation of the potential energy surface using electronic structure theory. Finally, we identify current challenges and future opportunities in the area.« less

Optimization of digital image processing to determine quantum dots' height and density from atomic force microscopy.

PubMed

Ruiz, J E; Paciornik, S; Pinto, L D; Ptak, F; Pires, M P; Souza, P L

2018-01-01

An optimized method of digital image processing to interpret quantum dots' height measurements obtained by atomic force microscopy is presented. The method was developed by combining well-known digital image processing techniques and particle recognition algorithms. The properties of quantum dot structures strongly depend on dots' height, among other features. Determination of their height is sensitive to small variations in their digital image processing parameters, which can generate misleading results. Comparing the results obtained with two image processing techniques - a conventional method and the new method proposed herein - with the data obtained by determining the height of quantum dots one by one within a fixed area, showed that the optimized method leads to more accurate results. Moreover, the log-normal distribution, which is often used to represent natural processes, shows a better fit to the quantum dots' height histogram obtained with the proposed method. Finally, the quantum dots' height obtained were used to calculate the predicted photoluminescence peak energies which were compared with the experimental data. Again, a better match was observed when using the proposed method to evaluate the quantum dots' height. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chem/bio sensing with non-classical light and integrated photonics.

PubMed

Haas, J; Schwartz, M; Rengstl, U; Jetter, M; Michler, P; Mizaikoff, B

2018-01-29

Modern quantum technology currently experiences extensive advances in applicability in communications, cryptography, computing, metrology and lithography. Harnessing this technology platform for chem/bio sensing scenarios is an appealing opportunity enabling ultra-sensitive detection schemes. This is further facilliated by the progress in fabrication, miniaturization and integration of visible and infrared quantum photonics. Especially, the combination of efficient single-photon sources together with waveguiding/sensing structures, serving as active optical transducer, as well as advanced detector materials is promising integrated quantum photonic chem/bio sensors. Besides the intrinsic molecular selectivity and non-destructive character of visible and infrared light based sensing schemes, chem/bio sensors taking advantage of non-classical light sources promise sensitivities beyond the standard quantum limit. In the present review, recent achievements towards on-chip chem/bio quantum photonic sensing platforms based on N00N states are discussed along with appropriate recognition chemistries, facilitating the detection of relevant (bio)analytes at ultra-trace concentration levels. After evaluating recent developments in this field, a perspective for a potentially promising sensor testbed is discussed for reaching integrated quantum sensing with two fiber-coupled GaAs chips together with semiconductor quantum dots serving as single-photon sources.

Nuclear quantum effects in electronically adiabatic quantum time correlation functions: Application to the absorption spectrum of a hydrated electron

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turi, László; Hantal, György; Rossky, Peter J.; Borgis, Daniel

2009-07-01

A general formalism for introducing nuclear quantum effects in the expression of the quantum time correlation function of an operator in a multilevel electronic system is presented in the adiabatic limit. The final formula includes the nuclear quantum time correlation functions of the operator matrix elements, of the energy gap, and their cross terms. These quantities can be inferred and evaluated from their classical analogs obtained by mixed quantum-classical molecular dynamics simulations. The formalism is applied to the absorption spectrum of a hydrated electron, expressed in terms of the time correlation function of the dipole operator in the ground electronic state. We find that both static and dynamic nuclear quantum effects distinctly influence the shape of the absorption spectrum, especially its high energy tail related to transitions to delocalized electron states. Their inclusion does improve significantly the agreement between theory and experiment for both the low and high frequency edges of the spectrum. It does not appear sufficient, however, to resolve persistent deviations in the slow Lorentzian-like decay part of the spectrum in the intermediate 2-3 eV region.

Evaluation of carrier collection probability in bifacial interdigitated-back-contact crystalline silicon solar cells by the internal quantum efficiency mapping method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tachibana, Tomihisa; Tanahashi, Katsuto; Mochizuki, Toshimitsu; Shirasawa, Katsuhiko; Takato, Hidetaka

2018-04-01

Bifacial interdigitated-back-contact (IBC) silicon solar cells with a high bifaciality of 0.91 were fabricated. Screen printing and firing technology were used to reduce the production cost. For the first time, the relationship between the rear side structure and carrier collection probability was evaluated using internal quantum efficiency (IQE) mapping. The measurement results showed that the screen-printed electrode and back surface field (BSF) area led to low IQE. The low carrier collection probability by BSF area can be explained by electrical shading effects. Thus, it is clear that the IQE mapping system is useful to evaluate the IBC cell.

Quantum Tunneling Contribution for the Activation Energy in Microwave-Induced Reactions.

PubMed

Kuhnen, Carlos A; Dall'Oglio, Evandro L; de Sousa, Paulo T

2017-08-03

In this study, a quantum approach is presented to explain microwave-enhanced reaction rates by considering the tunneling effects in chemical reactions. In the Arrhenius equation, the part of the Hamiltonian relative to the interaction energy during tunneling, between the particle that tunnels and the electrical field defined in the medium, whose spatial component is specified by its rms value, is taken into account. An approximate evaluation of the interaction energy leads to a linear dependence of the effective activation energy on the applied field. The evaluation of the rms value of the field for pure liquids and reaction mixtures, through their known dielectric properties, leads to an appreciable reduction in the activation energies for the proton transfer process in these liquids. The results indicate the need to move toward the use of more refined methods of modern quantum chemistry to calculate more accurately field-induced reaction rates and effective activation energies.

Direct evaluation of boson dynamics via finite-temperature time-dependent variation with multiple Davydov states.

PubMed

Fujihashi, Yuta; Wang, Lu; Zhao, Yang

2017-12-21

Recent advances in quantum optics allow for exploration of boson dynamics in dissipative many-body systems. However, the traditional descriptions of quantum dissipation using reduced density matrices are unable to capture explicit information of bath dynamics. In this work, efficient evaluation of boson dynamics is demonstrated by combining the multiple Davydov Ansatz with finite-temperature time-dependent variation, going beyond what state-of-the-art density matrix approaches are capable to offer for coupled electron-boson systems. To this end, applications are made to excitation energy transfer in photosynthetic systems, singlet fission in organic thin films, and circuit quantum electrodynamics in superconducting devices. Thanks to the multiple Davydov Ansatz, our analysis of boson dynamics leads to clear revelation of boson modes strongly coupled to electronic states, as well as in-depth description of polaron creation and destruction in the presence of thermal fluctuations.

Quantum Computation using Arrays of N Polar Molecules in Pendular States.

PubMed

Wei, Qi; Cao, Yudong; Kais, Sabre; Friedrich, Bretislav; Herschbach, Dudley

2016-11-18

We investigate several aspects of realizing quantum computation using entangled polar molecules in pendular states. Quantum algorithms typically start from a product state |00⋯0⟩ and we show that up to a negligible error, the ground states of polar molecule arrays can be considered as the unentangled qubit basis state |00⋯0⟩ . This state can be prepared by simply allowing the system to reach thermal equilibrium at low temperature (<1 mK). We also evaluate entanglement, characterized by concurrence of pendular state qubits in dipole arrays as governed by the external electric field, dipole-dipole coupling and number N of molecules in the array. In the parameter regime that we consider for quantum computing, we find that qubit entanglement is modest, typically no greater than 10 -4 , confirming the negligible entanglement in the ground state. We discuss methods for realizing quantum computation in the gate model, measurement-based model, instantaneous quantum polynomial time circuits and the adiabatic model using polar molecules in pendular states. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The criterion for time symmetry of probabilistic theories and the reversibility of quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holster, A. T.

2003-10-01

Physicists routinely claim that the fundamental laws of physics are 'time symmetric' or 'time reversal invariant' or 'reversible'. In particular, it is claimed that the theory of quantum mechanics is time symmetric. But it is shown in this paper that the orthodox analysis suffers from a fatal conceptual error, because the logical criterion for judging the time symmetry of probabilistic theories has been incorrectly formulated. The correct criterion requires symmetry between future-directed laws and past-directed laws. This criterion is formulated and proved in detail. The orthodox claim that quantum mechanics is reversible is re-evaluated. The property demonstrated in the orthodox analysis is shown to be quite distinct from time reversal invariance. The view of Satosi Watanabe that quantum mechanics is time asymmetric is verified, as well as his view that this feature does not merely show a de facto or 'contingent' asymmetry, as commonly supposed, but implies a genuine failure of time reversal invariance of the laws of quantum mechanics. The laws of quantum mechanics would be incompatible with a time-reversed version of our universe.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Emery, K.

Evaluate MicroLink cells as a function of temperature and spectral irradiance following the teams' standard procedures. These measurements will include the standard procedures for evaluating multijunction cells including quantum efficiency measurements and current versus voltage measurements.

Implementation of adiabatic geometric gates with superconducting phase qubits.

PubMed

Peng, Z H; Chu, H F; Wang, Z D; Zheng, D N

2009-01-28

We present an adiabatic geometric quantum computation strategy based on the non-degenerate energy eigenstates in (but not limited to) superconducting phase qubit systems. The fidelity of the designed quantum gate was evaluated in the presence of simulated thermal fluctuations in a superconducting phase qubits circuit and was found to be quite robust against random errors. In addition, it was elucidated that the Berry phase in the designed adiabatic evolution may be detected directly via the quantum state tomography developed for superconducting qubits. We also analyze the effects of control parameter fluctuations on the experimental detection of the Berry phase.

The Biharmonic Oscillator and Asymmetric Linear Potentials: From Classical Trajectories to Momentum-Space Probability Densities in the Extreme Quantum Limit

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ruckle, L. J.; Belloni, M.; Robinett, R. W.

2012-01-01

The biharmonic oscillator and the asymmetric linear well are two confining power-law-type potentials for which complete bound-state solutions are possible in both classical and quantum mechanics. We examine these problems in detail, beginning with studies of their trajectories in position and momentum space, evaluation of the classical probability…

A hybrid quantum-inspired genetic algorithm for multiobjective flow shop scheduling.

PubMed

Li, Bin-Bin; Wang, Ling

2007-06-01

This paper proposes a hybrid quantum-inspired genetic algorithm (HQGA) for the multiobjective flow shop scheduling problem (FSSP), which is a typical NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem with strong engineering backgrounds. On the one hand, a quantum-inspired GA (QGA) based on Q-bit representation is applied for exploration in the discrete 0-1 hyperspace by using the updating operator of quantum gate and genetic operators of Q-bit. Moreover, random-key representation is used to convert the Q-bit representation to job permutation for evaluating the objective values of the schedule solution. On the other hand, permutation-based GA (PGA) is applied for both performing exploration in permutation-based scheduling space and stressing exploitation for good schedule solutions. To evaluate solutions in multiobjective sense, a randomly weighted linear-sum function is used in QGA, and a nondominated sorting technique including classification of Pareto fronts and fitness assignment is applied in PGA with regard to both proximity and diversity of solutions. To maintain the diversity of the population, two trimming techniques for population are proposed. The proposed HQGA is tested based on some multiobjective FSSPs. Simulation results and comparisons based on several performance metrics demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed HQGA.

Exploring the Tomlin-Varadarajan quantum constraints in U (1 )3 loop quantum gravity: Solutions and the Minkowski theorem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewandowski, Jerzy; Lin, Chun-Yen

2017-03-01

We explicitly solved the anomaly-free quantum constraints proposed by Tomlin and Varadarajan for the weak Euclidean model of canonical loop quantum gravity, in a large subspace of the model's kinematic Hilbert space, which is the space of the charge network states. In doing so, we first identified the subspace on which each of the constraints acts convergingly, and then by explicitly evaluating such actions we found the complete set of the solutions in the identified subspace. We showed that the space of solutions consists of two classes of states, with the first class having a property that involves the condition known from the Minkowski theorem on polyhedra, and the second class satisfying a weaker form of the spatial diffeomorphism invariance.

Quantum cosmology: a review.

PubMed

Bojowald, Martin

2015-02-01

In quantum cosmology, one applies quantum physics to the whole universe. While no unique version and no completely well-defined theory is available yet, the framework gives rise to interesting conceptual, mathematical and physical questions. This review presents quantum cosmology in a new picture that tries to incorporate the importance of inhomogeneity. De-emphasizing the traditional minisuperspace view, the dynamics is rather formulated in terms of the interplay of many interacting 'microscopic' degrees of freedom that describe the space-time geometry. There is thus a close relationship with more-established systems in condensed-matter and particle physics even while the large set of space-time symmetries (general covariance) requires some adaptations and new developments. These extensions of standard methods are needed both at the fundamental level and at the stage of evaluating the theory by effective descriptions.

Code-division multiple-access multiuser demodulator by using quantum fluctuations.

PubMed

Otsubo, Yosuke; Inoue, Jun-Ichi; Nagata, Kenji; Okada, Masato

2014-07-01

We examine the average-case performance of a code-division multiple-access (CDMA) multiuser demodulator in which quantum fluctuations are utilized to demodulate the original message within the context of Bayesian inference. The quantum fluctuations are built into the system as a transverse field in the infinite-range Ising spin glass model. We evaluate the performance measurements by using statistical mechanics. We confirm that the CDMA multiuser modulator using quantum fluctuations achieve roughly the same performance as the conventional CDMA multiuser modulator through thermal fluctuations on average. We also find that the relationship between the quality of the original information retrieval and the amplitude of the transverse field is somehow a "universal feature" in typical probabilistic information processing, viz., in image restoration, error-correcting codes, and CDMA multiuser demodulation.

Code-division multiple-access multiuser demodulator by using quantum fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Otsubo, Yosuke; Inoue, Jun-ichi; Nagata, Kenji; Okada, Masato

2014-07-01

We examine the average-case performance of a code-division multiple-access (CDMA) multiuser demodulator in which quantum fluctuations are utilized to demodulate the original message within the context of Bayesian inference. The quantum fluctuations are built into the system as a transverse field in the infinite-range Ising spin glass model. We evaluate the performance measurements by using statistical mechanics. We confirm that the CDMA multiuser modulator using quantum fluctuations achieve roughly the same performance as the conventional CDMA multiuser modulator through thermal fluctuations on average. We also find that the relationship between the quality of the original information retrieval and the amplitude of the transverse field is somehow a "universal feature" in typical probabilistic information processing, viz., in image restoration, error-correcting codes, and CDMA multiuser demodulation.

Fast, efficient error reconciliation for quantum cryptography

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Buttler, W.T.; Lamoreaux, S.K.; Torgerson, J.R.

2003-05-01

We describe an error-reconciliation protocol, which we call Winnow, based on the exchange of parity and Hamming's 'syndrome' for N-bit subunits of a large dataset. The Winnow protocol was developed in the context of quantum-key distribution and offers significant advantages and net higher efficiency compared to other widely used protocols within the quantum cryptography community. A detailed mathematical analysis of the Winnow protocol is presented in the context of practical implementations of quantum-key distribution; in particular, the information overhead required for secure implementation is one of the most important criteria in the evaluation of a particular error-reconciliation protocol. The increasemore » in efficiency for the Winnow protocol is largely due to the reduction in authenticated public communication required for its implementation.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Olivares, Stefano; Paris, Matteo G. A.; Andersen, Ulrik L.

We analyze in details a scheme for cloning of Gaussian states based on linear optical components and homodyne detection recently demonstrated by Andersen et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 240503 (2005)]. The input-output fidelity is evaluated for a generic (pure or mixed) Gaussian state taking into account the effect of nonunit quantum efficiency and unbalanced mode mixing. In addition, since in most quantum information protocols the covariance matrix of the set of input states is not perfectly known, we evaluate the average cloning fidelity for classes of Gaussian states with the degree of squeezing and the number of thermal photonsmore » being only partially known.« less

Security evaluation of the quantum key distribution system with two-mode squeezed states

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osaki, M.; Ban, M.

2003-08-01

The quantum key distribution (QKD) system with two-mode squeezed states has been demonstrated by Pereira et al. [Phys. Rev. A 62, 042311 (2000)]. They evaluate the security of the system based on the signal to noise ratio attained by a homodyne detector. In this paper, we discuss its security based on the error probability individually attacked by eavesdropper with the unambiguous or the error optimum detection. The influence of the energy loss at transmission channels is also taken into account. It will be shown that the QKD system is secure under these conditions.

Effect of quantum well position on the distortion characteristics of transistor laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piramasubramanian, S.; Ganesh Madhan, M.; Radha, V.; Shajithaparveen, S. M. S.; Nivetha, G.

2018-05-01

The effect of quantum well position on the modulation and distortion characteristics of a 1300 nm transistor laser is analyzed in this paper. Standard three level rate equations are numerically solved to study this characteristics. Modulation depth, second order harmonic and third order intermodulation distortion of the transistor laser are evaluated for different quantum well positions for a 900 MHz RF signal modulation. From the DC analysis, it is observed that optical power is maximum, when the quantum well is positioned near base-emitter interface. The threshold current of the device is found to increase with increasing the distance between the quantum well and the base-emitter junction. A maximum modulation depth of 0.81 is predicted, when the quantum well is placed at 10 nm from the base-emitter junction, under RF modulation. The magnitude of harmonic and intermodulation distortion are found to decrease with increasing current and with an increase in quantum well distance from the emitter base junction. A minimum second harmonic distortion magnitude of -25.96 dBc is predicted for quantum well position (230 nm) near to the base-collector interface for 900 MHz modulation frequency at a bias current of 20 Ibth. Similarly, a minimum third order intermodulation distortion of -38.2 dBc is obtained for the same position and similar biasing conditions.

Quantitative analysis of the Ge concentration in a SiGe quantum well: comparison of low-energy RBS and SIMS measurements.

PubMed

Krecar, D; Rosner, M; Draxler, M; Bauer, P; Hutter, H

2006-01-01

The germanium concentration and the position and thickness of the quantum well in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown SiGe were quantitatively analyzed via low-energy Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In these samples, the concentrations of Si and Ge were assumed to be constant, except for the quantum well, where the germanium concentration was lower. The thickness of the analyzed quantum well was about 12 nm and it was situated at a depth of about 60 nm below the surface. A dip showed up in the RBS spectra due to the lower germanium concentration in the quantum well, and this was evaluated. Good depth resolution was required in order to obtain quantitative results, and this was obtained by choosing a primary energy of 500 keV and a tilt angle of 51 degrees with respect to the surface normal. Quantitative information was deduced from the raw data by comparing it with SIMNRA simulated spectra. The SIMS measurements were performed with oxygen primary ions. Given the response function of the SIMS instrument (the SIMS depth profile of the germanium delta (delta) layer), and using the forward convolution (point-to-point convolution) model, it is possible to determine the germanium concentration and the thickness of the analyzed quantum well from the raw SIMS data. The aim of this work was to compare the results obtained via RBS and SIMS and to show their potential for use in the semiconductor and microelectronics industry. The detection of trace elements (here the doping element antimony) that could not be evaluated with RBS in low-energy mode is also demonstrated using SIMS instead.

A new class of ensemble conserving algorithms for approximate quantum dynamics: Theoretical formulation and model problems.

PubMed

Smith, Kyle K G; Poulsen, Jens Aage; Nyman, Gunnar; Rossky, Peter J

2015-06-28

We develop two classes of quasi-classical dynamics that are shown to conserve the initial quantum ensemble when used in combination with the Feynman-Kleinert approximation of the density operator. These dynamics are used to improve the Feynman-Kleinert implementation of the classical Wigner approximation for the evaluation of quantum time correlation functions known as Feynman-Kleinert linearized path-integral. As shown, both classes of dynamics are able to recover the exact classical and high temperature limits of the quantum time correlation function, while a subset is able to recover the exact harmonic limit. A comparison of the approximate quantum time correlation functions obtained from both classes of dynamics is made with the exact results for the challenging model problems of the quartic and double-well potentials. It is found that these dynamics provide a great improvement over the classical Wigner approximation, in which purely classical dynamics are used. In a special case, our first method becomes identical to centroid molecular dynamics.

Absolute I(asterisk) quantum yields for the ICN A state by diode laser gain-vs-absorption spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hess, Wayne P.; Leone, Stephen R.

1987-01-01

Absolute I(asterisk) quantum yields have been measured as a function of wavelength for room temperature photodissociation of the ICN A state continuum. The yields are obtained by the technique of time-resolved diode laser gain-vs-absorption spectroscopy. Quantum yields are evaluated at seven wavelengths from 248 to 284 nm. The yield at 266 nm is 66.0 + or - 2 percent and it falls off to 53.4 + or - 2 percent and 44.0 + or - 4 percent at 284 and 248 nm, respectively. The latter values are significantly higher than those obtained by previous workers using infrared fluorescence. Estimates of I(asterisk) quantum yields obtained from analysis of CN photofragment rotational distributions, as discussed by other workers, are in good agreement with the I(asterisk) yields reported here. The results are considered in conjunction with recent theoretical and experimental work on the CN rotational distributions and with previous I(asterisk) quantum yield results.

Experimental quantum annealing: case study involving the graph isomorphism problem.

PubMed

Zick, Kenneth M; Shehab, Omar; French, Matthew

2015-06-08

Quantum annealing is a proposed combinatorial optimization technique meant to exploit quantum mechanical effects such as tunneling and entanglement. Real-world quantum annealing-based solvers require a combination of annealing and classical pre- and post-processing; at this early stage, little is known about how to partition and optimize the processing. This article presents an experimental case study of quantum annealing and some of the factors involved in real-world solvers, using a 504-qubit D-Wave Two machine and the graph isomorphism problem. To illustrate the role of classical pre-processing, a compact Hamiltonian is presented that enables a reduced Ising model for each problem instance. On random N-vertex graphs, the median number of variables is reduced from N(2) to fewer than N log2 N and solvable graph sizes increase from N = 5 to N = 13. Additionally, error correction via classical post-processing majority voting is evaluated. While the solution times are not competitive with classical approaches to graph isomorphism, the enhanced solver ultimately classified correctly every problem that was mapped to the processor and demonstrated clear advantages over the baseline approach. The results shed some light on the nature of real-world quantum annealing and the associated hybrid classical-quantum solvers.

Experimental quantum annealing: case study involving the graph isomorphism problem

PubMed Central

Zick, Kenneth M.; Shehab, Omar; French, Matthew

2015-01-01

Quantum annealing is a proposed combinatorial optimization technique meant to exploit quantum mechanical effects such as tunneling and entanglement. Real-world quantum annealing-based solvers require a combination of annealing and classical pre- and post-processing; at this early stage, little is known about how to partition and optimize the processing. This article presents an experimental case study of quantum annealing and some of the factors involved in real-world solvers, using a 504-qubit D-Wave Two machine and the graph isomorphism problem. To illustrate the role of classical pre-processing, a compact Hamiltonian is presented that enables a reduced Ising model for each problem instance. On random N-vertex graphs, the median number of variables is reduced from N2 to fewer than N log2 N and solvable graph sizes increase from N = 5 to N = 13. Additionally, error correction via classical post-processing majority voting is evaluated. While the solution times are not competitive with classical approaches to graph isomorphism, the enhanced solver ultimately classified correctly every problem that was mapped to the processor and demonstrated clear advantages over the baseline approach. The results shed some light on the nature of real-world quantum annealing and the associated hybrid classical-quantum solvers. PMID:26053973

Retrofitting and the mu Problem

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Green, Daniel; Weigand, Timo; /SLAC /Stanford U., Phys. Dept.

2010-08-26

One of the challenges of supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking and mediation is generating a {mu} term consistent with the requirements of electro-weak symmetry breaking. The most common approach to the problem is to generate the {mu} term through a SUSY breaking F-term. Often these models produce unacceptably large B{mu} terms as a result. We will present an alternate approach, where the {mu} term is generated directly by non-perturtative effects. The same non-perturbative effect will also retrofit the model of SUSY breaking in such a way that {mu} is at the same scale as masses of the Standard Model superpartners. Because themore » {mu} term is not directly generated by SUSY breaking effects, there is no associated B{mu} problem. These results are demonstrated in a toy model where a stringy instanton generates {mu}.« less

Hydrodynamics of the Polyakov line in SU(N c) Yang-Mills

DOE PAGES

Liu, Yizhuang; Warchoł, Piotr; Zahed, Ismail

2015-12-08

We discuss a hydrodynamical description of the eigenvalues of the Polyakov line at large but finite N c for Yang-Mills theory in even and odd space-time dimensions. The hydro-static solutions for the eigenvalue densities are shown to interpolate between a uniform distribution in the confined phase and a localized distribution in the de-confined phase. The resulting critical temperatures are in overall agreement with those measured on the lattice over a broad range of N c, and are consistent with the string model results at N c = ∞. The stochastic relaxation of the eigenvalues of the Polyakov line out ofmore » equilibrium is captured by a hydrodynamical instanton. An estimate of the probability of formation of a Z(N c)bubble using a piece-wise sound wave is suggested.« less

Inflation from periodic extra dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higaki, Tetsutaro; Tatsuta, Yoshiyuki

2017-07-01

We discuss a realization of a small field inflation based on string inspired supergravities. In theories accompanying extra dimensions, compactification of them with small radii is required for realistic situations. Since the extra dimension can have a periodicity, there will appear (quasi-)periodic functions under transformations of moduli of the extra dimensions in low energy scales. Such a periodic property can lead to a UV completion of so-called multi-natural inflation model where inflaton potential consists of a sum of multiple sinusoidal functions with a decay constant smaller than the Planck scale. As an illustration, we construct a SUSY breaking model, and then show that such an inflaton potential can be generated by a sum of world sheet instantons in intersecting brane models on extra dimensions containing orbifold. We show also predictions of cosmic observables by numerical analyzes.

Topology (and axion's properties) from lattice QCD with a dynamical charm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burger, Florian; Ilgenfritz, Ernst-Michael; Lombardo, Maria Paola; Müller-Preussker, Michael; Trunin, Anton

2017-11-01

We present results on QCD with four dynamical flavors in the temperature range 0.9 ≲ T /Tc ≲ 2. We have performed lattice simulations with Wilson fermions at maximal twist and measured the topological charge with gluonic and fermionic methods. The topological charge distribution is studied by means of its cumulants, which encode relevant properties of the QCD axion, a plausible Dark Matter candidate. The topological susceptibility measured with the fermionic method exhibits a power-law decay for T /Tc ≳ 2, with an exponent close to the one predicted by the Dilute Instanton Gas Approximation (DIGA). Close to Tc the temperature dependent effective exponent approaches the DIGA result from above, in agreement with recent analytic calculations. These results constrain the axion window, once an assumption on the fraction of axions contributing to Dark Matter is made.

Magnetically charged calorons with non-trivial holonomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kato, Takumi; Nakamula, Atsushi; Takesue, Koki

2018-06-01

Instantons in pure Yang-Mills theories on partially periodic space R^3× {S}^1 are usually called calorons. The background periodicity brings on characteristic features of calorons such as non-trivial holonomy, which plays an essential role for confinement/deconfinement transition in pure Yang-Mills gauge theory. For the case of gauge group SU(2), calorons can be interpreted as composite objects of two constituent "monopoles" with opposite magnetic charges. There are often the cases that the two monopole charges are unbalanced so that the calorons possess net magnetic charge in R3. In this paper, we consider several mechanism how such net magnetic charges appear for certain types of calorons through the ADHM/Nahm construction with explicit examples. In particular, we construct analytically the gauge configuration of the (2 , 1)-caloron with U(1)-symmetry, which has intrinsically magnetic charge.

Inflation from periodic extra dimensions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Higaki, Tetsutaro; Tatsuta, Yoshiyuki, E-mail: thigaki@rk.phys.keio.ac.jp, E-mail: y_tatsuta@akane.waseda.jp

We discuss a realization of a small field inflation based on string inspired supergravities. In theories accompanying extra dimensions, compactification of them with small radii is required for realistic situations. Since the extra dimension can have a periodicity, there will appear (quasi-)periodic functions under transformations of moduli of the extra dimensions in low energy scales. Such a periodic property can lead to a UV completion of so-called multi-natural inflation model where inflaton potential consists of a sum of multiple sinusoidal functions with a decay constant smaller than the Planck scale. As an illustration, we construct a SUSY breaking model, andmore » then show that such an inflaton potential can be generated by a sum of world sheet instantons in intersecting brane models on extra dimensions containing orbifold. We show also predictions of cosmic observables by numerical analyzes.« less

Magnetic disorder in superconductors: Enhancement by mesoscopic fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burmistrov, I. S.; Skvortsov, M. A.

2018-01-01

We study the density of states (DOS) and the transition temperature Tc in a dirty superconducting film with rare classical magnetic impurities of an arbitrary strength described by the Poissonian statistics. We take into account that the potential disorder is a source of mesoscopic fluctuations of the local DOS, and, consequently, of the effective strength of magnetic impurities. We find that these mesoscopic fluctuations result in a nonzero DOS for all energies in the region of the phase diagram where without this effect the DOS is zero within the standard mean-field theory. This mechanism can be more efficient in filling the mean-field superconducting gap than rare fluctuations of the potential disorder (instantons). Depending on the magnetic impurity strength, the suppression of Tc by spin-flip scattering can be faster or slower than in the standard mean-field theory.

Simulation approach for the evaluation of tracking accuracy in radiotherapy: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Tanaka, Rie; Ichikawa, Katsuhiro; Mori, Shinichiro; Sanada, Sigeru

2013-01-01

Real-time tumor tracking in external radiotherapy can be achieved by diagnostic (kV) X-ray imaging with a dynamic flat-panel detector (FPD). It is important to keep the patient dose as low as possible while maintaining tracking accuracy. A simulation approach would be helpful to optimize the imaging conditions. This study was performed to develop a computer simulation platform based on a noise property of the imaging system for the evaluation of tracking accuracy at any noise level. Flat-field images were obtained using a direct-type dynamic FPD, and noise power spectrum (NPS) analysis was performed. The relationship between incident quantum number and pixel value was addressed, and a conversion function was created. The pixel values were converted into a map of quantum number using the conversion function, and the map was then input into the random number generator to simulate image noise. Simulation images were provided at different noise levels by changing the incident quantum numbers. Subsequently, an implanted marker was tracked automatically and the maximum tracking errors were calculated at different noise levels. The results indicated that the maximum tracking error increased with decreasing incident quantum number in flat-field images with an implanted marker. In addition, the range of errors increased with decreasing incident quantum number. The present method could be used to determine the relationship between image noise and tracking accuracy. The results indicated that the simulation approach would aid in determining exposure dose conditions according to the necessary tracking accuracy.

Evaluation of the Quantum Opportunities Program (QOP). Did the Program Work? A Report on the Post Secondary Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of the QOP Program (1989-1993).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hahn, Andrew; And Others

The Quantum Opportunities Project (QOP) was a multisite youth development demonstration project funded by the Ford Foundation in San Antonio (Texas), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Milwaukee (Wisconsin), Saginaw (Michigan), and Oklahoma City (Oklahoma). The programs, organized around educational activities, guaranteed up to 250 hours of education,…

Classical and quantum entropy of parton distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagiwara, Yoshikazu; Hatta, Yoshitaka; Xiao, Bo-Wen; Yuan, Feng

2018-05-01

We introduce the semiclassical Wehrl entropy for the nucleon as a measure of complexity of the multiparton configuration in phase space. This gives a new perspective on the nucleon tomography. We evaluate the entropy in the small-x region and compare with the quantum von Neumann entropy. We also argue that the growth of entropy at small x is eventually slowed down due to the Pomeron loop effect.

Coherent feedback control of a single qubit in diamond

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hirose, Masashi; Cappellaro, Paola

2016-04-01

Engineering desired operations on qubits subjected to the deleterious effects of their environment is a critical task in quantum information processing, quantum simulation and sensing. The most common approach relies on open-loop quantum control techniques, including optimal-control algorithms based on analytical or numerical solutions, Lyapunov design and Hamiltonian engineering. An alternative strategy, inspired by the success of classical control, is feedback control. Because of the complications introduced by quantum measurement, closed-loop control is less pervasive in the quantum setting and, with exceptions, its experimental implementations have been mainly limited to quantum optics experiments. Here we implement a feedback-control algorithm using a solid-state spin qubit system associated with the nitrogen vacancy centre in diamond, using coherent feedback to overcome the limitations of measurement-based feedback, and show that it can protect the qubit against intrinsic dephasing noise for milliseconds. In coherent feedback, the quantum system is connected to an auxiliary quantum controller (ancilla) that acquires information about the output state of the system (by an entangling operation) and performs an appropriate feedback action (by a conditional gate). In contrast to open-loop dynamical decoupling techniques, feedback control can protect the qubit even against Markovian noise and for an arbitrary period of time (limited only by the coherence time of the ancilla), while allowing gate operations. It is thus more closely related to quantum error-correction schemes, although these require larger and increasing qubit overheads. Increasing the number of fresh ancillas enables protection beyond their coherence time. We further evaluate the robustness of the feedback protocol, which could be applied to quantum computation and sensing, by exploring a trade-off between information gain and decoherence protection, as measurement of the ancilla-qubit correlation after the feedback algorithm voids the protection, even if the rest of the dynamics is unchanged.

Protecting software agents from malicious hosts using quantum computing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reisner, John; Donkor, Eric

2000-07-01

We evaluate how quantum computing can be applied to security problems for software agents. Agent-based computing, which merges technological advances in artificial intelligence and mobile computing, is a rapidly growing domain, especially in applications such as electronic commerce, network management, information retrieval, and mission planning. System security is one of the more eminent research areas in agent-based computing, and the specific problem of protecting a mobile agent from a potentially hostile host is one of the most difficult of these challenges. In this work, we describe our agent model, and discuss the capabilities and limitations of classical solutions to the malicious host problem. Quantum computing may be extremely helpful in addressing the limitations of classical solutions to this problem. This paper highlights some of the areas where quantum computing could be applied to agent security.

Schrödinger–Langevin equation with quantum trajectories for photodissociation dynamics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chou, Chia-Chun, E-mail: ccchou@mx.nthu.edu.tw

The Schrödinger–Langevin equation is integrated to study the wave packet dynamics of quantum systems subject to frictional effects by propagating an ensemble of quantum trajectories. The equations of motion for the complex action and quantum trajectories are derived from the Schrödinger–Langevin equation. The moving least squares approach is used to evaluate the spatial derivatives of the complex action required for the integration of the equations of motion. Computational results are presented and analyzed for the evolution of a free Gaussian wave packet, a two-dimensional barrier model, and the photodissociation dynamics of NOCl. The absorption spectrum of NOCl obtained from themore » Schrödinger–Langevin equation displays a redshift when frictional effects increase. This computational result agrees qualitatively with the experimental results in the solution-phase photochemistry of NOCl.« less

Holography as a principle in quantum gravity?-Some historical and systematic observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sieroka, Norman; Mielke, Eckehard W.

2014-05-01

Holography is a fruitful concept in modern physics. However, there is no generally accepted definition of the term, and its significance, especially as a guiding principle in quantum gravity, is rather uncertain. The present paper critically evaluates variants of the holographic principle from two perspectives: (i) their relevance in contemporary approaches to quantum gravity and in closely related areas; (ii) their historical forerunners in the early twentieth century and the role played by past and present concepts of holography in attempts to unify physics. By combining these two perspectives a certain depth of focus is gained which allows us to draw some tentative conclusions about what might be reasonable aspirations and prospects for holography in quantum gravity. By the same token, we will have a brief and critical look at wider philosophical interpretations of the term.

Development of a semiclassical method to compute mobility and diffusion coefficient of a Brownian particle in a nonequilibrium environment.

PubMed

Shit, Anindita; Ghosh, Pradipta; Chattopadhyay, Sudip; Chaudhuri, Jyotipratim Ray

2011-03-01

We explore the issue of a quantum-noise-induced directed transport of an overdamped Brownian particle that is allowed to move in a spatially periodic potential. The established system-reservoir model has been employed here to study the quantum-noise-induced transport of a Brownian particle in a periodic potential, where the reservoir is being modulated externally by a Gaussian-colored noise. The mobility of the Brownian particle in the linear response regime has been calculated. Then, using Einstein's relation, the analytical expression for the diffusion rate is evaluated for any arbitrary periodic potential for the high-temperature quantum regime.

Magnon Spin Hall Magnetoresistance of a Gapped Quantum Paramagnet.

PubMed

Ulloa, Camilo; Duine, R A

2018-04-27

Motivated by recent experimental work, we consider spin transport between a normal metal and a gapped quantum paramagnet. We model the latter as the magnonic Mott-insulating phase of an easy-plane ferromagnetic insulator. We evaluate the spin current mediated by the interface exchange coupling between the ferromagnet and the adjacent normal metal. For the strongly interacting magnons that we consider, this spin current gives rise to a spin Hall magnetoresistance that strongly depends on the magnitude of the magnetic field, rather than its direction. This Letter may motivate electrical detection of the phases of quantum magnets and the incorporation of such materials into spintronic devices.

A novel strategy to evaluate the degradation of quantum dots: identification and quantification of CdTe quantum dots and corresponding ionic species by CZE-ICP-MS.

PubMed

Meng, Peijun; Xiong, Yamin; Wu, Yingting; Hu, Yue; Wang, Hui; Pang, Yuanfeng; Jiang, Shuqing; Han, Sihai; Huang, Peili

2018-05-09

In view of the significance and urgency of the speciation analysis of quantum dots (QDs) and their degradation products for clarifying their degradation rules and toxicity mechanisms, a method for the identification and quantification of CdTe QDs and corresponding ionic species in complex matrices was developed using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The quality assessment of commercial CdTe QDs and serum pharmacokinetics of synthesized CdTe QDs in rats were successfully undertaken using the developed CZE-ICP-MS method.

Tuning direct bandgap GeSn/Ge quantum dots' interband and intraband useful emission wavelength: Towards CMOS compatible infrared optical devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baira, Mourad; Salem, Bassem; Madhar, Niyaz Ahamad; Ilahi, Bouraoui

2018-05-01

In this work, interband and intraband optical transitions from direct bandgap strained GeSn/Ge quantum dots are numerically tuned by evaluating the confined energies for heavy holes and electrons in D- and L-valley. The practically exploitable emission wavelength ranges for efficient use in light emission and sensing should fulfill specific criteria imposing the electrons confined states in D-valley to be sufficiently below those in L-valley. This study shows that GeSn quantum dots offer promising opportunity towards high efficient group IV based infrared optical devices operating in the mid-IR and far-IR wavelength regions.

Magnon Spin Hall Magnetoresistance of a Gapped Quantum Paramagnet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ulloa, Camilo; Duine, R. A.

2018-04-01

Motivated by recent experimental work, we consider spin transport between a normal metal and a gapped quantum paramagnet. We model the latter as the magnonic Mott-insulating phase of an easy-plane ferromagnetic insulator. We evaluate the spin current mediated by the interface exchange coupling between the ferromagnet and the adjacent normal metal. For the strongly interacting magnons that we consider, this spin current gives rise to a spin Hall magnetoresistance that strongly depends on the magnitude of the magnetic field, rather than its direction. This Letter may motivate electrical detection of the phases of quantum magnets and the incorporation of such materials into spintronic devices.

Quantum error correcting codes and 4-dimensional arithmetic hyperbolic manifolds

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guth, Larry, E-mail: lguth@math.mit.edu; Lubotzky, Alexander, E-mail: alex.lubotzky@mail.huji.ac.il

2014-08-15

Using 4-dimensional arithmetic hyperbolic manifolds, we construct some new homological quantum error correcting codes. They are low density parity check codes with linear rate and distance n{sup ε}. Their rate is evaluated via Euler characteristic arguments and their distance using Z{sub 2}-systolic geometry. This construction answers a question of Zémor [“On Cayley graphs, surface codes, and the limits of homological coding for quantum error correction,” in Proceedings of Second International Workshop on Coding and Cryptology (IWCC), Lecture Notes in Computer Science Vol. 5557 (2009), pp. 259–273], who asked whether homological codes with such parameters could exist at all.

Sensing behavior of a graphene quantum dot phenalenyl towards toxic gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Vaishali; Narayan, Som; Dabhi, Shweta D.; Shinde, Satyam; Jha, Prafulla K.

2018-04-01

In the present work, by studying the interaction of graphene quantum dot (GQD) Phenalenylwith toxic gases hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and phosgene (COCl2) using density functional theory, we are aiming to evaluate the possibility of using GQD phenalenyl in the detection of HCN and COCl2. Owing to strong interactions between HCN/COCl2 and the GQD Phenalenyl, dramatic changes in the electronic properties of the graphene quantum dots together with highest occupied molecular orbitals and lowest unoccupied molecularorbitals (HOMO-LUMO) gap variationsare observed. The findings show that the GQD phenalenyl can be used as chemical nanosensor to detect HCN and COCl2 toxic gases.

Continuous variable quantum cryptography using coherent states.

PubMed

Grosshans, Frédéric; Grangier, Philippe

2002-02-04

We propose several methods for quantum key distribution (QKD) based on the generation and transmission of random distributions of coherent or squeezed states, and we show that they are secure against individual eavesdropping attacks. These protocols require that the transmission of the optical line between Alice and Bob is larger than 50%, but they do not rely on "sub-shot-noise" features such as squeezing. Their security is a direct consequence of the no-cloning theorem, which limits the signal-to-noise ratio of possible quantum measurements on the transmission line. Our approach can also be used for evaluating various QKD protocols using light with Gaussian statistics.

Misinterpretation of statistical distance in security of quantum key distribution shown by simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwakoshi, Takehisa; Hirota, Osamu

2014-10-01

This study will test an interpretation in quantum key distribution (QKD) that trace distance between the distributed quantum state and the ideal mixed state is a maximum failure probability of the protocol. Around 2004, this interpretation was proposed and standardized to satisfy both of the key uniformity in the context of universal composability and operational meaning of the failure probability of the key extraction. However, this proposal has not been verified concretely yet for many years while H. P. Yuen and O. Hirota have thrown doubt on this interpretation since 2009. To ascertain this interpretation, a physical random number generator was employed to evaluate key uniformity in QKD. In this way, we calculated statistical distance which correspond to trace distance in quantum theory after a quantum measurement is done, then we compared it with the failure probability whether universal composability was obtained. As a result, the degree of statistical distance of the probability distribution of the physical random numbers and the ideal uniformity was very large. It is also explained why trace distance is not suitable to guarantee the security in QKD from the view point of quantum binary decision theory.

Evaluation of the magnetic properties of cosmetic contact lenses with a superconducting quantum interference device.

PubMed

Kuroda, Kagayaki; Shirakawa, Naoki; Yoshida, Yoshiyuki; Tawara, Kazuya; Kobayashi, Akihiro; Nakai, Toshiharu

2014-01-01

We evaluated the magnetization of 21 cosmetic contact lens samples that included various coloring materials with a superconducting quantum interference device with regard to magnetic resonance (MR) safety. We found 7 samples were ferromagnetic; two had both ferromagnetic and diamagnetic properties; and the rest were diamagnetic. The saturated magnetization of the most ferromagnetic sample was 15.0 µJ/T, which yielded a magnetically induced displacement force of 90.0 µN when the spatial gradient of the static magnetic field was 6.0 T/m. The force was less than one-third of the gravitational force.

Investigating and improving student understanding of quantum mechanical observables and their corresponding operators in Dirac notation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marshman, Emily; Singh, Chandralekha

2018-01-01

In quantum mechanics, for every physical observable, there is a corresponding Hermitian operator. According to the most common interpretation of quantum mechanics, measurement of an observable collapses the quantum state into one of the possible eigenstates of the operator and the corresponding eigenvalue is measured. Since Dirac notation is an elegant notation that is commonly used in upper-level quantum mechanics, it is important that students learn to express quantum operators corresponding to observables in Dirac notation in order to apply the quantum formalism effectively in diverse situations. Here we focus on an investigation that suggests that, even though Dirac notation is used extensively, many advanced undergraduate and PhD students in physics have difficulty expressing the identity operator and other Hermitian operators corresponding to physical observables in Dirac notation. We first describe the difficulties students have with expressing the identity operator and a generic Hermitian operator corresponding to an observable in Dirac notation. We then discuss how the difficulties found via written surveys and individual interviews were used as a guide in the development of a quantum interactive learning tutorial (QuILT) to help students develop a good grasp of these concepts. The QuILT strives to help students become proficient in expressing the identity operator and a generic Hermitian operator corresponding to an observable in Dirac notation. We also discuss the effectiveness of the QuILT based on in-class evaluations.

Short term inhalation toxicity of a liquid aerosol of glutaraldehyde-coated CdS/Cd(OH)2 core shell quantum dots in rats.

PubMed

Ma-Hock, L; Farias, P M A; Hofmann, T; Andrade, A C D S; Silva, J N; Arnaud, T M S; Wohlleben, W; Strauss, V; Treumann, S; Chaves, C R; Gröters, S; Landsiedel, R; van Ravenzwaay, B

2014-02-10

Quantum dots exhibit extraordinary optical and mechanical properties, and the number of their applications is increasing. In order to investigate a possible effect of coating on the inhalation toxicity of previously tested non-coated CdS/Cd(OH)2 quantum dots and translocation of these very small particles from the lungs, rats were exposed to coated quantum dots or CdCl2 aerosol (since Cd(2+) was present as impurity), 6h/d for 5 consecutive days. Cd content was determined in organs and excreta after the end of exposure and three weeks thereafter. Toxicity was determined by examination of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and microscopic evaluation of the entire respiratory tract. There was no evidence for translocation of particles from the respiratory tract. Evidence of a minimal inflammatory process was observed by examination of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. Microscopically, minimal to mild epithelial alteration was seen in the larynx. The effects observed with coated quantum dots, non-coated quantum dots and CdCl2 were comparable, indicating that quantum dots elicited no significant effects beyond the toxicity of the Cd(2+) ion itself. Compared to other compounds with larger particle size tested at similarly low concentrations, quantum dots caused much less pronounced toxicological effects. Therefore, the present data show that small particle sizes with corresponding high surfaces are not the only factor triggering the toxic response or translocation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficiency of True-Green Light Emitting Diodes: Non-Uniformity and Temperature Effects

PubMed Central

Titkov, Ilya E.; Karpov, Sergey Yu.; Yadav, Amit; Mamedov, Denis; Zerova, Vera L.

2017-01-01

External quantum efficiency of industrial-grade green InGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) has been measured in a wide range of operating currents at various temperatures from 13 K to 300 K. Unlike blue LEDs, the efficiency as a function of current is found to have a multi-peak character, which could not be fitted by a simple ABC-model. This observation correlated with splitting of LED emission spectra into two peaks at certain currents. The characterization data are interpreted in terms of non-uniformity of the LED active region, which is tentatively attributed to extended defects like V-pits. We suggest a new approach to evaluation of temperature-dependent light extraction and internal quantum efficiencies taking into account the active region non-uniformity. As a result, the temperature dependence of light extraction and internal quantum efficiencies have been evaluated in the temperature range mentioned above and compared with those of blue LEDs. PMID:29156543

Preference reversal in quantum decision theory.

PubMed

Yukalov, Vyacheslav I; Sornette, Didier

2015-01-01

We consider the psychological effect of preference reversal and show that it finds a natural explanation in the frame of quantum decision theory. When people choose between lotteries with non-negative payoffs, they prefer a more certain lottery because of uncertainty aversion. But when people evaluate lottery prices, e.g., for selling to others the right to play them, they do this more rationally, being less subject to behavioral biases. This difference can be explained by the presence of the attraction factors entering the expression of quantum probabilities. Only the existence of attraction factors can explain why, considering two lotteries with close utility factors, a decision maker prefers one of them when choosing, but evaluates higher the other one when pricing. We derive a general quantitative criterion for the preference reversal to occur that relates the utilities of the two lotteries to the attraction factors under choosing vs. pricing and test successfully its application on experiments by Tversky et al. We also show that the planning paradox can be treated as a kind of preference reversal.

Analytical scheme calculations of angular momentum coupling and recoupling coefficients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deveikis, A.; Kuznecovas, A.

2007-03-01

We investigate the Scheme programming language opportunities to analytically calculate the Clebsch-Gordan coefficients, Wigner 6j and 9j symbols, and general recoupling coefficients that are used in the quantum theory of angular momentum. The considered coefficients are calculated by a direct evaluation of the sum formulas. The calculation results for large values of quantum angular momenta were compared with analogous calculations with FORTRAN and Java programming languages.

Graphene quantum dots-carbon nanotube hybrid arrays for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Yue; Zhao, Yang; Lu, Gewu; Chen, Nan; Zhang, Zhipan; Li, Hui; Shao, Huibo; Qu, Liangti

2013-05-01

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been successfully deposited onto aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a benign electrochemical method and the capacitive properties of the as-formed GQD/CNT hybrid arrays were evaluated in symmetrical supercapacitors. It was found that supercapacitors fabricated from GQD/CNT hybrid arrays exhibited a high capacitance of 44 mF cm-2, representing a more than 200% improvement over that of bare CNT electrodes.

Graphene quantum dots-carbon nanotube hybrid arrays for supercapacitors.

PubMed

Hu, Yue; Zhao, Yang; Lu, Gewu; Chen, Nan; Zhang, Zhipan; Li, Hui; Shao, Huibo; Qu, Liangti

2013-05-17

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have been successfully deposited onto aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by a benign electrochemical method and the capacitive properties of the as-formed GQD/CNT hybrid arrays were evaluated in symmetrical supercapacitors. It was found that supercapacitors fabricated from GQD/CNT hybrid arrays exhibited a high capacitance of 44 mF cm(-2), representing a more than 200% improvement over that of bare CNT electrodes.

Quantum noise in SIS mixers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zorin, A. B.

1985-03-01

In the present, quantum-statistical analysis of SIS heterodyne mixer performance, the conventional three-port model of the mixer circuit and the microscopic theory of superconducting tunnel junctions are used to derive a general expression for a noise parameter previously used for the case of parametric amplifiers. This expression is numerically evaluated for various quasiparticle current step widths, dc bias voltages, local oscillator powers, signal frequencies, signal source admittances, and operation temperatures.

Dissipation equation of motion approach to open quantum systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, YiJing; Jin, Jinshuang; Xu, Rui-Xue; Zheng, Xiao

2016-08-01

This paper presents a comprehensive account of the dissipaton-equation-of-motion (DEOM) theory for open quantum systems. This newly developed theory treats not only the quantum dissipative systems of primary interest, but also the hybrid environment dynamics that are also experimentally measurable. Despite the fact that DEOM recovers the celebrated hierarchical-equations-of-motion (HEOM) formalism, these two approaches have some fundamental differences. To show these differences, we also scrutinize the HEOM construction via its root at the influence functional path integral formalism. We conclude that many unique features of DEOM are beyond the reach of the HEOM framework. The new DEOM approach renders a statistical quasi-particle picture to account for the environment, which can be either bosonic or fermionic. The review covers the DEOM construction, the physical meanings of dynamical variables, the underlying theorems and dissipaton algebra, and recent numerical advancements for efficient DEOM evaluations of various problems. We also address the issue of high-order many-dissipaton truncations with respect to the invariance principle of quantum mechanics of Schrödinger versus Heisenberg prescriptions. DEOM serves as a universal tool for characterizing of stationary and dynamic properties of system-and-bath interferences, as highlighted with its real-time evaluation of both linear and nonlinear current noise spectra of nonequilibrium electronic transport.

Implementation of a channelized Hotelling observer model to assess image quality of x-ray angiography systems.

PubMed

Favazza, Christopher P; Fetterly, Kenneth A; Hangiandreou, Nicholas J; Leng, Shuai; Schueler, Beth A

2015-01-01

Evaluation of flat-panel angiography equipment through conventional image quality metrics is limited by the scope of standard spatial-domain image quality metric(s), such as contrast-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, or by restricted access to appropriate data to calculate Fourier domain measurements, such as modulation transfer function, noise power spectrum, and detective quantum efficiency. Observer models have been shown capable of overcoming these limitations and are able to comprehensively evaluate medical-imaging systems. We present a spatial domain-based channelized Hotelling observer model to calculate the detectability index (DI) of our different sized disks and compare the performance of different imaging conditions and angiography systems. When appropriate, changes in DIs were compared to expectations based on the classical Rose model of signal detection to assess linearity of the model with quantum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) theory. For these experiments, the estimated uncertainty of the DIs was less than 3%, allowing for precise comparison of imaging systems or conditions. For most experimental variables, DI changes were linear with expectations based on quantum SNR theory. DIs calculated for the smallest objects demonstrated nonlinearity with quantum SNR theory due to system blur. Two angiography systems with different detector element sizes were shown to perform similarly across the majority of the detection tasks.

Semiclassical evaluation of quantum fidelity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vaníček, Jiří; Heller, Eric J.

2003-11-01

We present a numerically feasible semiclassical (SC) method to evaluate quantum fidelity decay (Loschmidt echo) in a classically chaotic system. It was thought that such evaluation would be intractable, but instead we show that a uniform SC expression not only is tractable but it also gives remarkably accurate numerical results for the standard map in both the Fermi-golden-rule and Lyapunov regimes. Because it allows Monte Carlo evaluation, the uniform expression is accurate at times when there are 1070 semiclassical contributions. Remarkably, it also explicitly contains the “building blocks” of analytical theories of recent literature, and thus permits a direct test of the approximations made by other authors in these regimes, rather than an a posteriori comparison with numerical results. We explain in more detail the extended validity of the classical perturbation approximation and show that within this approximation, the so-called “diagonal approximation” is automatic and does not require ensemble averaging.

Wave-function description of conductance mapping for a quantum Hall electron interferometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolasiński, K.; Szafran, B.

2014-04-01

Scanning gate microscopy of quantum point contacts (QPC) in the integer quantum Hall regime is considered in terms of the scattering wave functions with a finite-difference implementation of the quantum transmitting boundary approach. Conductance (G) maps for a clean QPC as well as for a system including an antidot within the QPC constriction are evaluated. The steplike locally flat G maps for clean QPCs turn into circular resonances that are reentrant in an external magnetic field when the antidot is introduced to the constriction. The current circulation around the antidot and the spacing of the resonances at the magnetic field scale react to the probe approaching the QPC. The calculated G maps with a rigid but soft antidot potential reproduce the features detected recently in the electron interferometer [F. Martins et al., Sci. Rep. 3, 1416 (2013), 10.1038/srep01416].

The interactions between CdSe quantum dots and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae: adhesion of quantum dots to the cell surface and the protection effect of ZnS shell.

PubMed

Mei, Jie; Yang, Li-Yun; Lai, Lu; Xu, Zi-Qiang; Wang, Can; Zhao, Jie; Jin, Jian-Cheng; Jiang, Feng-Lei; Liu, Yi

2014-10-01

The interactions between quantum dots (QDs) and biological systems have attracted increasing attention due to concerns on possible toxicity of the nanoscale materials. The biological effects of CdSe QDs and CdSe/ZnS QDs with nearly identical hydrodynamic size on Saccharomyces cerevisiae were investigated via microcalorimetric, spectroscopic and microscopic methods, demonstrating a toxic order CdSe>CdSe/ZnS QDs. CdSe QDs damaged yeast cell wall and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential. Noteworthy, adhesion of QDs to the yeast cell surface renders this work a good example of interaction site at cell surface, and the epitaxial coating of ZnS could greatly reduce the toxicity of Cd-containing QDs. These results will contribute to the safety evaluation of quantum dots, and provide valuable information for design of nanomaterials. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Quantum-noise randomized data encryption for wavelength-division-multiplexed fiber-optic networks

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Corndorf, Eric; Liang Chuang; Kanter, Gregory S.

2005-06-15

We demonstrate high-rate randomized data-encryption through optical fibers using the inherent quantum-measurement noise of coherent states of light. Specifically, we demonstrate 650 Mbit/s data encryption through a 10 Gbit/s data-bearing, in-line amplified 200-km-long line. In our protocol, legitimate users (who share a short secret key) communicate using an M-ry signal set while an attacker (who does not share the secret key) is forced to contend with the fundamental and irreducible quantum-measurement noise of coherent states. Implementations of our protocol using both polarization-encoded signal sets as well as polarization-insensitive phase-keyed signal sets are experimentally and theoretically evaluated. Different from the performancemore » criteria for the cryptographic objective of key generation (quantum key-generation), one possible set of performance criteria for the cryptographic objective of data encryption is established and carefully considered.« less

Coherent dynamics of a telecom-wavelength entangled photon source.

PubMed

Ward, M B; Dean, M C; Stevenson, R M; Bennett, A J; Ellis, D J P; Cooper, K; Farrer, I; Nicoll, C A; Ritchie, D A; Shields, A J

2014-01-01

Quantum networks can interconnect remote quantum information processors, allowing interaction between different architectures and increasing net computational power. Fibre-optic telecommunications technology offers a practical platform for routing weakly interacting photonic qubits, allowing quantum correlations and entanglement to be established between distant nodes. Although entangled photons have been produced at telecommunications wavelengths using spontaneous parametric downconversion in nonlinear media, as system complexity increases their inherent excess photon generation will become limiting. Here we demonstrate entangled photon pair generation from a semiconductor quantum dot at a telecommunications wavelength. Emitted photons are intrinsically anti-bunched and violate Bell's inequality by 17 standard deviations High-visibility oscillations of the biphoton polarization reveal the time evolution of the emitted state with exceptional clarity, exposing long coherence times. Furthermore, we introduce a method to evaluate the fidelity to a time-evolving Bell state, revealing entanglement between photons emitted up to 5 ns apart, exceeding the exciton lifetime.

Unconditional security of a three state quantum key distribution protocol.

PubMed

Boileau, J-C; Tamaki, K; Batuwantudawe, J; Laflamme, R; Renes, J M

2005-02-04

Quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols are cryptographic techniques with security based only on the laws of quantum mechanics. Two prominent QKD schemes are the Bennett-Brassard 1984 and Bennett 1992 protocols that use four and two quantum states, respectively. In 2000, Phoenix et al. proposed a new family of three-state protocols that offers advantages over the previous schemes. Until now, an error rate threshold for security of the symmetric trine spherical code QKD protocol has been shown only for the trivial intercept-resend eavesdropping strategy. In this Letter, we prove the unconditional security of the trine spherical code QKD protocol, demonstrating its security up to a bit error rate of 9.81%. We also discuss how this proof applies to a version of the trine spherical code QKD protocol where the error rate is evaluated from the number of inconclusive events.

Absolute 1* quantum yields for the ICN A state by diode laser gain versus absorption spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hess, Wayne P.; Leone, Stephen R.

1987-01-01

Absolute I* quantum yields were measured as a function of wavelength for room temperature photodissociation of the ICN A state continuum. The temperature yields are obtained by the technique of time-resolved diode laser gain-versus-absorption spectroscopy. Quantum yields are evaluated at seven wavelengths from 248 to 284 nm. The yield at 266 nm is 66.0 +/- 2% and it falls off to 53.4 +/- 2% and 44.0 +/- 4% at 284 and 248 respectively. The latter values are significantly higher than those obtained by previous workers using infrared fluorescence. Estimates of I* quantum yields obtained from analysis of CN photofragment rotational distributions, as discussed by other workers, are in good agreement with the I* yields. The results are considered in conjunction with recent theoretical and experimental work on the CN rotational distributions and with previous I* yield results.

Error Mitigation for Short-Depth Quantum Circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Temme, Kristan; Bravyi, Sergey; Gambetta, Jay M.

2017-11-01

Two schemes are presented that mitigate the effect of errors and decoherence in short-depth quantum circuits. The size of the circuits for which these techniques can be applied is limited by the rate at which the errors in the computation are introduced. Near-term applications of early quantum devices, such as quantum simulations, rely on accurate estimates of expectation values to become relevant. Decoherence and gate errors lead to wrong estimates of the expectation values of observables used to evaluate the noisy circuit. The two schemes we discuss are deliberately simple and do not require additional qubit resources, so to be as practically relevant in current experiments as possible. The first method, extrapolation to the zero noise limit, subsequently cancels powers of the noise perturbations by an application of Richardson's deferred approach to the limit. The second method cancels errors by resampling randomized circuits according to a quasiprobability distribution.

Studies of quantum dots in the quantum Hall regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldmann, Eyal

We present two studies of quantum dots in the quantum Hall regime. In the first study, presented in Chapter 3, we investigate the edge reconstruction phenomenon believed to occur when the quantum dot filling fraction is n≲1 . Our approach involves the examination of large dots (≤40 electrons) using a partial diagonalization technique in which the occupancies of the deep interior orbitals are frozen. To interpret the results of this calculation, we evaluate the overlap between the diagonalized ground state and a set of trial wavefunctions which we call projected necklace (PN) states. A PN state is simply the angular momentum projection of a maximum density droplet surrounded by a ring of localized electrons. Our calculations reveal that PN states have up to 99% overlap with the diagonalized ground states, and are lower in energy than the states identified in Chamon and Wen's study of the edge reconstruction. In the second study, presented in Chapter 4, we investigate quantum dots in the fractional quantum Hall regime using a Hartree formulation of composite fermion theory. We find that under appropriate conditions, the chemical potential of the dots oscillates periodically with B due to the transfer of composite fermions between quasi-Landau bands. This effect is analogous the addition spectrum oscillations which occur in quantum dots in the integer quantum Hall regime. Period f0 oscillations are found in sharply confined dots with filling factors nu = 2/5 and nu = 2/3. Period 3 f0 oscillations are found in a parabolically confined nu = 2/5 dot. More generally, we argue that the oscillation period of dots with band pinning should vary continuously with B, whereas the period of dots without band pinning is f0 .

Combinatorial quantization of the Hamiltonian Chern-Simons theory II

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alekseev, Anton Yu.; Grosse, Harald; Schomerus, Volker

1996-01-01

This paper further develops the combinatorial approach to quantization of the Hamiltonian Chern Simons theory advertised in [1]. Using the theory of quantum Wilson lines, we show how the Verlinde algebra appears within the context of quantum group gauge theory. This allows to discuss flatness of quantum connections so that we can give a mathematically rigorous definition of the algebra of observables A CS of the Chern Simons model. It is a *-algebra of “functions on the quantum moduli space of flat connections” and comes equipped with a positive functional ω (“integration”). We prove that this data does not depend on the particular choices which have been made in the construction. Following ideas of Fock and Rosly [2], the algebra A CS provides a deformation quantization of the algebra of functions on the moduli space along the natural Poisson bracket induced by the Chern Simons action. We evaluate a volume of the quantized moduli space and prove that it coincides with the Verlinde number. This answer is also interpreted as a partition partition function of the lattice Yang-Mills theory corresponding to a quantum gauge group.

The quantum computer game: citizen science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damgaard, Sidse; Mølmer, Klaus; Sherson, Jacob

2013-05-01

Progress in the field of quantum computation is hampered by daunting technical challenges. Here we present an alternative approach to solving these by enlisting the aid of computer players around the world. We have previously examined a quantum computation architecture involving ultracold atoms in optical lattices and strongly focused tweezers of light. In The Quantum Computer Game (see http://www.scienceathome.org/), we have encapsulated the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for the problem in a graphical user interface allowing for easy user input. Players can then search the parameter space with real-time graphical feedback in a game context with a global high-score that rewards short gate times and robustness to experimental errors. The game which is still in a demo version has so far been tried by several hundred players. Extensions of the approach to other models such as Gross-Pitaevskii and Bose-Hubbard are currently under development. The game has also been incorporated into science education at high-school and university level as an alternative method for teaching quantum mechanics. Initial quantitative evaluation results are very positive. AU Ideas Center for Community Driven Research, CODER.

Quasi-one-dimensional density of states in a single quantum ring.

PubMed

Kim, Heedae; Lee, Woojin; Park, Seongho; Kyhm, Kwangseuk; Je, Koochul; Taylor, Robert A; Nogues, Gilles; Dang, Le Si; Song, Jin Dong

2017-01-05

Generally confinement size is considered to determine the dimensionality of nanostructures. While the exciton Bohr radius is used as a criterion to define either weak or strong confinement in optical experiments, the binding energy of confined excitons is difficult to measure experimentally. One alternative is to use the temperature dependence of the radiative recombination time, which has been employed previously in quantum wells and quantum wires. A one-dimensional loop structure is often assumed to model quantum rings, but this approximation ceases to be valid when the rim width becomes comparable to the ring radius. We have evaluated the density of states in a single quantum ring by measuring the temperature dependence of the radiative recombination of excitons, where the photoluminescence decay time as a function of temperature was calibrated by using the low temperature integrated intensity and linewidth. We conclude that the quasi-continuous finely-spaced levels arising from the rotation energy give rise to a quasi-one-dimensional density of states, as long as the confined exciton is allowed to rotate around the opening of the anisotropic ring structure, which has a finite rim width.

Critical excitation spectrum of a quantum chain with a local three-spin coupling.

PubMed

McCabe, John F; Wydro, Tomasz

2011-09-01

Using the phenomenological renormalization group (PRG), we evaluate the low-energy excitation spectrum along the critical line of a quantum spin chain having a local interaction between three Ising spins and longitudinal and transverse magnetic fields, i.e., a Turban model. The low-energy excitation spectrum found with the PRG agrees with the spectrum predicted for the (D(4),A(4)) conformal minimal model under a nontrivial correspondence between translations at the critical line and discrete lattice translations. Under this correspondence, the measurements confirm a prediction that the critical line of this quantum spin chain and the critical point of the two-dimensional three-state Potts model are in the same universality class.

Analytic continuation of quantum Monte Carlo data by stochastic analytical inference.

PubMed

Fuchs, Sebastian; Pruschke, Thomas; Jarrell, Mark

2010-05-01

We present an algorithm for the analytic continuation of imaginary-time quantum Monte Carlo data which is strictly based on principles of Bayesian statistical inference. Within this framework we are able to obtain an explicit expression for the calculation of a weighted average over possible energy spectra, which can be evaluated by standard Monte Carlo simulations, yielding as by-product also the distribution function as function of the regularization parameter. Our algorithm thus avoids the usual ad hoc assumptions introduced in similar algorithms to fix the regularization parameter. We apply the algorithm to imaginary-time quantum Monte Carlo data and compare the resulting energy spectra with those from a standard maximum-entropy calculation.

Dispersion in a thermal plasma including arbitrary degeneracy and quantum recoil.

PubMed

Melrose, D B; Mushtaq, A

2010-11-01

The longitudinal response function for a thermal electron gas is calculated including two quantum effects exactly, degeneracy, and the quantum recoil. The Fermi-Dirac distribution is expanded in powers of a parameter that is small in the nondegenerate limit and the response function is evaluated in terms of the conventional plasma dispersion function to arbitrary order in this parameter. The infinite sum is performed in terms of polylogarithms in the long-wavelength and quasistatic limits, giving results that apply for arbitrary degeneracy. The results are applied to the dispersion relations for Langmuir waves and to screening, reproducing known results in the nondegenerate and completely degenerate limits, and generalizing them to arbitrary degeneracy.

Sampling Molecular Conformers in Solution with Quantum Mechanical Accuracy at a Nearly Molecular-Mechanics Cost.

PubMed

Rosa, Marta; Micciarelli, Marco; Laio, Alessandro; Baroni, Stefano

2016-09-13

We introduce a method to evaluate the relative populations of different conformers of molecular species in solution, aiming at quantum mechanical accuracy, while keeping the computational cost at a nearly molecular-mechanics level. This goal is achieved by combining long classical molecular-dynamics simulations to sample the free-energy landscape of the system, advanced clustering techniques to identify the most relevant conformers, and thermodynamic perturbation theory to correct the resulting populations, using quantum-mechanical energies from density functional theory. A quantitative criterion for assessing the accuracy thus achieved is proposed. The resulting methodology is demonstrated in the specific case of cyanin (cyanidin-3-glucoside) in water solution.

Simulating of the measurement-device independent quantum key distribution with phase randomized general sources

PubMed Central

Wang, Qin; Wang, Xiang-Bin

2014-01-01

We present a model on the simulation of the measurement-device independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) with phase randomized general sources. It can be used to predict experimental observations of a MDI-QKD with linear channel loss, simulating corresponding values for the gains, the error rates in different basis, and also the final key rates. Our model can be applicable to the MDI-QKDs with arbitrary probabilistic mixture of different photon states or using any coding schemes. Therefore, it is useful in characterizing and evaluating the performance of the MDI-QKD protocol, making it a valuable tool in studying the quantum key distributions. PMID:24728000

Experimental realization of equiangular three-state quantum key distribution

PubMed Central

Schiavon, Matteo; Vallone, Giuseppe; Villoresi, Paolo

2016-01-01

Quantum key distribution using three states in equiangular configuration combines a security threshold comparable with the one of the Bennett-Brassard 1984 protocol and a quantum bit error rate (QBER) estimation that does not need to reveal part of the key. We implement an entanglement-based version of the Renes 2004 protocol, using only passive optic elements in a linear scheme for the positive-operator valued measure (POVM), generating an asymptotic secure key rate of more than 10 kbit/s, with a mean QBER of 1.6%. We then demonstrate its security in the case of finite key and evaluate the key rate for both collective and general attacks. PMID:27465643

Performance analysis of GeSn-alloy-based multiple quantum well transistor laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranjan, Ravi; Pareek, Prakash; Anwer Askari, Syed Sadique; Das, Mukul K.

2018-02-01

The Group IV Photonics (GFP) which include an alloy of Si, Ge & Sn that gives a direct bandgap material (GeSn, SiGeSn) in near and mid-IR region used as an active material in photonics devices. The multiple quantum well SiGeSn/GeSn transistor laser structure is considered in this paper and performance parameters are evaluated for the same. The result shows that the threshold base current density (2.6 kA/cm2) for the proposed device initially decreases with increasing number of quantum well (QW) and later on it saturates. The current gain and output photon density of the device decreases and increases respectively, with increasing number of QW.

Polarization study about a telescope-based transmitter for quantum communication.

PubMed

Wu, Jincai; He, Zhiping; Zhang, Liang; Yuan, Liyin; Wang, Tianhong; Jia, Jianjun; Shu, Rong; Wang, Jianyu

2017-10-20

We studied the polarization evolution of a reflective telescope designed for the quantum satellite Micius. The change in polarization extinction ratio (PER) of quantum light was derived and calculated. The PER deterioration caused by increase of incidence angle was calculated to determine the boundary conditions for the system design. The performance of the Micius prototype was evaluated both theoretically and experimentally to verify the viability of our optical design. Minimum and maximum PERs of 38 and 55 dB, respectively, were recorded, which were mostly in good agreement with the numerical calculations. Our investigations have contributed to the success of Micius, which is a significant milestone for building a global security network.

Ground and excited states of NH4: Electron propagator and quantum defect analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortiz, J. V.; Martín, I.; Velasco, A. M.; Lavín, C.

2004-05-01

Vertical excitation energies of the Rydberg radical NH4 are inferred from ab initio electron propagator calculations on the electron affinities of NH4+. The adiabatic ionization energy of NH4 is evaluated with coupled-cluster calculations. These predictions provide optimal parameters for the molecular-adapted quantum defect orbital method, which is used to determine Einstein emission coefficients and radiative lifetimes. Comparisons with spectroscopic data and previous calculations are discussed.

Performance Evaluation of Solar Blind NLOS Ultraviolet Communication Systems

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

noise and signal count statistical distributions . Then we further link key system parameters such as path loss and communication bit error rate (BER... quantum noise limited photon-counting detection. These benefits can now begin to be realized based on technological advances in both miniaturized...multiplication gain of 105~107, high responsivity of 62 A/W, large detection area of a few cm2, reasonable quantum efficiency of 15%, and low dark current

Quantum to classical transition in quantum field theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lombardo, Fernando C.

1998-12-01

We study the quatum to classical transition process in the context of quantum field theory. Extending the influence functional formalism of Feynman and Vernon, we study the decoherence process for self-interacting quantum fields in flat space. We also use this formalism for arbitrary geometries to analyze the quantum to classical transition in quantum gravity. After summarizing the main results known for the quantum Brownian motion, we consider a self-interacting field theory in Minkowski spacetime. We compute a coarse grained effective action by integrating out the field modes with wavelength shorter than a critical value. From this effective action we obtain the evolution equation for the reduced density matrix (master equation). We compute the diffusion coefficients for this equation and analyze the decoherence induced on the long-wavelength modes. We generalize the results to the case of a conformally coupled scalar field in de Sitter spacetime. We show that the decoherence is effective as long as the critical wavelength is taken to be not shorter than the Hubble radius. On the other hand, we study the classical limit for scalar-tensorial models in two dimensions. We consider different couplings between the dilaton and the scalar field. We discuss the Hawking radiation process and, from an exact evaluation of the influence functional, we study the conditions by which decoherence ensures the validity of the semiclassical approximation in cosmological metrics. Finally we consider four dimensional models with massive scalar fields, arbitrary coupled to the geometry. We compute the Einstein-Langevin equations in order to study the effect of the fluctuations induced by the quantum fields on the classical geometry.

Engineering quantum communication systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinto, Armando N.; Almeida, Álvaro J.; Silva, Nuno A.; Muga, Nelson J.; Martins, Luis M.

2012-06-01

Quantum communications can provide almost perfect security through the use of quantum laws to detect any possible leak of information. We discuss critical issues in the implementation of quantum communication systems over installed optical fibers. We use stimulated four-wave mixing to generate single photons inside optical fibers, and by tuning the separation between the pump and the signal we adjust the average number of photons per pulse. We report measurements of the source statistics and show that it goes from a thermal to Poisson distribution with the increase of the pump power. We generate entangled photons pairs through spontaneous four-wave mixing. We report results for different type of fibers to approach the maximum value of the Bell inequality. We model the impact of polarization rotation, attenuation and Raman scattering and present optimum configurations to increase the degree of entanglement. We encode information in the photons polarization and assess the use of wavelength and time division multiplexing based control systems to compensate for the random rotation of the polarization during transmission. We show that time division multiplexing systems provide a more robust solution considering the values of PMD of nowadays installed fibers. We evaluate the impact on the quantum channel of co-propagating classical channels, and present guidelines for adding quantum channels to installed WDM optical communication systems without strongly penalizing the performance of the quantum channel. We discuss the process of retrieving information from the photons polarization. We identify the major impairments that limit the speed and distance of the quantum channel. Finally, we model theoretically the QBER and present results of an experimental performance assessment of the system quality through QBER measurements.

Small instanton transitions for M5 fractions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mekareeya, Noppadol; Ohmori, Kantaro; Shimizu, Hiroyuki; Tomasiello, Alessandro

2017-10-01

M5-branes on an ADE singularity are described by certain six-dimensional "conformal matter" superconformal field theories. Their Higgs moduli spaces contain information about various dynamical processes for the M5s; however, they are not directly accessible due to the lack of a Lagrangian formulation. Using anomaly matching, we compute their dimensions. The result implies that M5 fractions can recombine in several different ways, where the M5s are leaving behind frozen versions of the singularity. The anomaly polynomial gives hints about the nature of the freezing. We also check the Higgs dimension formula by comparing it with various existing conjectures for the CFTs one obtains by torus compactifications down to four and three dimensions. Aided by our results, we also extend those conjectures to compactifications of theories not previously considered. These involve class S theories with twisted punctures in four dimensions, and affine-Dynkin-shaped quivers in three dimensions.

The Infinitesimal Moduli Space of Heterotic G 2 Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de la Ossa, Xenia; Larfors, Magdalena; Svanes, Eirik E.

2018-06-01

Heterotic string compactifications on integrable G 2 structure manifolds Y with instanton bundles {(V,A), (TY,\\tilde{θ})} yield supersymmetric three-dimensional vacua that are of interest in physics. In this paper, we define a covariant exterior derivative D and show that it is equivalent to a heterotic G 2 system encoding the geometry of the heterotic string compactifications. This operator D acts on a bundle Q}=T^*Y \\oplus End(V) \\oplus End(TY)} and satisfies a nilpotency condition \\check{{D^2=0} , for an appropriate projection of D. Furthermore, we determine the infinitesimal moduli space of these systems and show that it corresponds to the finite-dimensional cohomology group H^1_{D}(Q). We comment on the similarities and differences of our result with Atiyah's well-known analysis of deformations of holomorphic vector bundles over complex manifolds. Our analysis leads to results that are of relevance to all orders in the {α'} expansion.

Four-dimensional gravity as an almost-Poisson system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ita, Eyo Eyo

2015-04-01

In this paper, we examine the phase space structure of a noncanonical formulation of four-dimensional gravity referred to as the Instanton representation of Plebanski gravity (IRPG). The typical Hamiltonian (symplectic) approach leads to an obstruction to the definition of a symplectic structure on the full phase space of the IRPG. We circumvent this obstruction, using the Lagrange equations of motion, to find the appropriate generalization of the Poisson bracket. It is shown that the IRPG does not support a Poisson bracket except on the vector constraint surface. Yet there exists a fundamental bilinear operation on its phase space which produces the correct equations of motion and induces the correct transformation properties of the basic fields. This bilinear operation is known as the almost-Poisson bracket, which fails to satisfy the Jacobi identity and in this case also the condition of antisymmetry. We place these results into the overall context of nonsymplectic systems.

Transdimensional tunneling in the multiverse

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blanco-Pillado, Jose J.; Schwartz-Perlov, Delia; Vilenkin, Alexander, E-mail: jose@cosmos.phy.tufts.edu, E-mail: dperlov@cosmos.phy.tufts.edu, E-mail: vilenkin@cosmos.phy.tufts.edu

2010-05-01

Topology-changing transitions between vacua of different effective dimensionality are studied in the context of a 6-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell theory. The landscape of this theory includes a 6d de Sitter vacuum (dS{sub 6}), a number of dS{sub 4} × S{sub 2} and AdS{sub 4} × S{sub 2} vacua, and a number of AdS{sub 2} × S{sub 4} vacua. We find that compactification transitions dS{sub 6} → AdS{sub 2} × S{sub 4} occur through the nucleation of electrically charged black hole pairs, and transitions from dS{sub 6} to dS{sub 4} × S{sub 2} and AdS{sub 4} × S{sub 2} occur through the nucleationmore » of magnetically charged spherical black branes. We identify the appropriate instantons and describe the spacetime structure resulting from brane nucleation.« less

Reaction rates and kinetic isotope effects of H{sub 2} + OH → H{sub 2}O + H

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Meisner, Jan; Kästner, Johannes, E-mail: kaestner@theochem.uni-stuttgart.de

2016-05-07

We calculated reaction rate constants including atom tunneling of the reaction of dihydrogen with the hydroxy radical down to a temperature of 50 K. Instanton theory and canonical variational theory with microcanonical optimized multidimensional tunneling were applied using a fitted potential energy surface [J. Chen et al., J. Chem. Phys. 138, 154301 (2013)]. All possible protium/deuterium isotopologues were considered. Atom tunneling increases at about 250 K (200 K for deuterium transfer). Even at 50 K the rate constants of all isotopologues remain in the interval 4 ⋅ 10{sup −20} to 4 ⋅ 10{sup −17} cm{sup 3} s{sup −1}, demonstrating thatmore » even deuterated versions of the title reaction are possibly relevant to astrochemical processes in molecular clouds. The transferred hydrogen atom dominates the kinetic isotope effect at all temperatures.« less

Evaluation of quantum confinement effect in nanocrystal Si dot layer by Raman spectroscopy.

PubMed

Mizukami, Y; Kosemura, D; Numasawa, Y; Ohshita, Y; Ogura, A

2012-11-01

Quantum confinement effect in the nanocrystal-Si (nc-Si) was evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. The nc-Si dot layers were fabricated by the H2 plasma treatment for the nucleation site formation followed by the SiH4 irradiation for the nc-Si growth. Post-oxidation annealing was also performed to improve the crystalline quality. After post-oxidation annealing for 5 or 10 min, the asymmetric broadening on the lower frequency sides in Raman spectra were obtained, which can be attributed to the phonon confinement effect in nc-Si. Furthermore we confirmed that hydrostatic stress of approximately 500 MPa was induced in nc-Si after post-oxidation annealing.

Open quantum systems and error correction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shabani Barzegar, Alireza

Quantum effects can be harnessed to manipulate information in a desired way. Quantum systems which are designed for this purpose are suffering from harming interaction with their surrounding environment or inaccuracy in control forces. Engineering different methods to combat errors in quantum devices are highly demanding. In this thesis, I focus on realistic formulations of quantum error correction methods. A realistic formulation is the one that incorporates experimental challenges. This thesis is presented in two sections of open quantum system and quantum error correction. Chapters 2 and 3 cover the material on open quantum system theory. It is essential to first study a noise process then to contemplate methods to cancel its effect. In the second chapter, I present the non-completely positive formulation of quantum maps. Most of these results are published in [Shabani and Lidar, 2009b,a], except a subsection on geometric characterization of positivity domain of a quantum map. The real-time formulation of the dynamics is the topic of the third chapter. After introducing the concept of Markovian regime, A new post-Markovian quantum master equation is derived, published in [Shabani and Lidar, 2005a]. The section of quantum error correction is presented in three chapters of 4, 5, 6 and 7. In chapter 4, we introduce a generalized theory of decoherence-free subspaces and subsystems (DFSs), which do not require accurate initialization (published in [Shabani and Lidar, 2005b]). In Chapter 5, we present a semidefinite program optimization approach to quantum error correction that yields codes and recovery procedures that are robust against significant variations in the noise channel. Our approach allows us to optimize the encoding, recovery, or both, and is amenable to approximations that significantly improve computational cost while retaining fidelity (see [Kosut et al., 2008] for a published version). Chapter 6 is devoted to a theory of quantum error correction (QEC) that applies to any linear map, in particular maps that are not completely positive (CP). This is a complementary to the second chapter which is published in [Shabani and Lidar, 2007]. In the last chapter 7 before the conclusion, a formulation for evaluating the performance of quantum error correcting codes for a general error model is presented, also published in [Shabani, 2005]. In this formulation, the correlation between errors is quantified by a Hamiltonian description of the noise process. In particular, we consider Calderbank-Shor-Steane codes and observe a better performance in the presence of correlated errors depending on the timing of the error recovery.

Simulation of n-qubit quantum systems. IV. Parametrizations of quantum states, matrices and probability distributions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radtke, T.; Fritzsche, S.

2008-11-01

Entanglement is known today as a key resource in many protocols from quantum computation and quantum information theory. However, despite the successful demonstration of several protocols, such as teleportation or quantum key distribution, there are still many open questions of how entanglement affects the efficiency of quantum algorithms or how it can be protected against noisy environments. The investigation of these and related questions often requires a search or optimization over the set of quantum states and, hence, a parametrization of them and various other objects. To facilitate this kind of studies in quantum information theory, here we present an extension of the FEYNMAN program that was developed during recent years as a toolbox for the simulation and analysis of quantum registers. In particular, we implement parameterizations of hermitian and unitary matrices (of arbitrary order), pure and mixed quantum states as well as separable states. In addition to being a prerequisite for the study of many optimization problems, these parameterizations also provide the necessary basis for heuristic studies which make use of random states, unitary matrices and other objects. Program summaryProgram title: FEYNMAN Catalogue identifier: ADWE_v4_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADWE_v4_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 24 231 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 1 416 085 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: Maple 11 Computer: Any computer with Maple software installed Operating system: Any system that supports Maple; program has been tested under Microsoft Windows XP, Linux Classification: 4.15 Does the new version supersede the previous version?: Yes Nature of problem: During the last decades, quantum information science has contributed to our understanding of quantum mechanics and has provided also new and efficient protocols, based on the use of entangled quantum states. To determine the behavior and entanglement of n-qubit quantum registers, symbolic and numerical simulations need to be applied in order to analyze how these quantum information protocols work and which role the entanglement plays hereby. Solution method: Using the computer algebra system Maple, we have developed a set of procedures that support the definition, manipulation and analysis of n-qubit quantum registers. These procedures also help to deal with (unitary) logic gates and (nonunitary) quantum operations that act upon the quantum registers. With the parameterization of various frequently-applied objects, that are implemented in the present version, the program now facilitates a wider range of symbolic and numerical studies. All commands can be used interactively in order to simulate and analyze the evolution of n-qubit quantum systems, both in ideal and noisy quantum circuits. Reasons for new version: In the first version of the FEYNMAN program [1], we implemented the data structures and tools that are necessary to create, manipulate and to analyze the state of quantum registers. Later [2,3], support was added to deal with quantum operations (noisy channels) as an ingredient which is essential for studying the effects of decoherence. With the present extension, we add a number of parametrizations of objects frequently utilized in decoherence and entanglement studies, such that as hermitian and unitary matrices, probability distributions, or various kinds of quantum states. This extension therefore provides the basis, for example, for the optimization of a given function over the set of pure states or the simple generation of random objects. Running time: Most commands that act upon quantum registers with five or less qubits take ⩽10 seconds of processor time on a Pentium 4 processor with ⩾2GHz or newer, and about 5-20 MB of working memory (in addition to the memory for the Maple environment). Especially when working with symbolic expressions, however, the requirements on CPU time and memory critically depend on the size of the quantum registers, owing to the exponential growth of the dimension of the associated Hilbert space. For example, complex (symbolic) noise models, i.e. with several symbolic Kraus operators, result for multi-qubit systems often in very large expressions that dramatically slow down the evaluation of e.g. distance measures or the final-state entropy, etc. In these cases, Maple's assume facility sometimes helps to reduce the complexity of the symbolic expressions, but more often only a numerical evaluation is possible eventually. Since the complexity of the various commands of the FEYNMAN program and the possible usage scenarios can be very different, no general scaling law for CPU time or the memory requirements can be given. References: [1] T. Radtke, S. Fritzsche, Comput. Phys. Comm. 173 (2005) 91. [2] T. Radtke, S. Fritzsche, Comput. Phys. Comm. 175 (2006) 145. [3] T. Radtke, S. Fritzsche, Comput. Phys. Comm. 176 (2007) 617.

Quantum mechanical model for the anticarcinogenic effect of extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic fields on early chemical hepatocarcinogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godina-Nava, Juan José; Torres-Vega, Gabino; López-Riquelme, Germán Octavio; López-Sandoval, Eduardo; Samana, Arturo Rodolfo; García Velasco, Fermín; Hernández-Aguilar, Claudia; Domínguez-Pacheco, Arturo

2017-02-01

Using the conventional Haberkorn approach, it is evaluated the recombination of the radical pair (RP) singlet spin state to study theoretically the cytoprotective effect of an extremely-low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) on early stages of hepatic cancer chemically induced in rats. The proposal is that ELF-EMF modulates the interconversion rate of singlet and triplet spin states of the RP populations modifying the products from the metabolization of carcinogens. Previously, we found that the daily treatment with ELF-EMF 120 Hz inhibited the number and area of preneoplastic lesions in chemical carcinogenesis. The singlet spin population is evaluated diagonalizing the spin density matrix through the Lanczos method in a radical pair mechanism (RPM). Using four values of the interchange energy, we have studied the variations over the singlet population. The low magnetic field effect as a test of the influence over the enzymatic chemical reaction is evaluated calculating the quantum yield. Through a bootstrap technique the range is found for the singlet decay rate for the process. Applying the quantum measurements concept, we addressed the impact toward hepatic cells. The result contributes to improving our understanding of the chemical carcinogenesis process affected by charged particles that damage the DNA.

Quantum mechanical calculations related to ionization and charge transfer in DNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cauët, E.; Valiev, M.; Weare, J. H.; Liévin, J.

2012-07-01

Ionization and charge migration in DNA play crucial roles in mechanisms of DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation, oxidizing agents and photo-irradiation. Therefore, an evaluation of the ionization properties of the DNA bases is central to the full interpretation and understanding of the elementary reactive processes that occur at the molecular level during the initial exposure and afterwards. Ab initio quantum mechanical (QM) methods have been successful in providing highly accurate evaluations of key parameters, such as ionization energies (IE) of DNA bases. Hence, in this study, we performed high-level QM calculations to characterize the molecular energy levels and potential energy surfaces, which shed light on ionization and charge migration between DNA bases. In particular, we examined the IEs of guanine, the most easily oxidized base, isolated and embedded in base clusters, and investigated the mechanism of charge migration over two and three stacked guanines. The IE of guanine in the human telomere sequence has also been evaluated. We report a simple molecular orbital analysis to explain how modifications in the base sequence are expected to change the efficiency of the sequence as a hole trap. Finally, the application of a hybrid approach combining quantum mechanics with molecular mechanics brings an interesting discussion as to how the native aqueous DNA environment affects the IE threshold of nucleobases.

The Future of Theoretical Physics and Cosmology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibbons, G. W.; Shellard, E. P. S.; Rankin, S. J.

2003-11-01

Based on lectures given in honor of Stephen Hawking's 60th birthday, this book comprises contributions from the world's leading theoretical physicists. Popular lectures progress to a critical evaluation of more advanced subjects in modern cosmology and theoretical physics. Topics covered include the origin of the universe, warped spacetime, cosmological singularities, quantum gravity, black holes, string theory, quantum cosmology and inflation. The volume provides a fascinating overview of the variety of subjects to which Stephen Hawking has contributed.

Implementation of a channelized Hotelling observer model to assess image quality of x-ray angiography systems

PubMed Central

Favazza, Christopher P.; Fetterly, Kenneth A.; Hangiandreou, Nicholas J.; Leng, Shuai; Schueler, Beth A.

2015-01-01

Abstract. Evaluation of flat-panel angiography equipment through conventional image quality metrics is limited by the scope of standard spatial-domain image quality metric(s), such as contrast-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution, or by restricted access to appropriate data to calculate Fourier domain measurements, such as modulation transfer function, noise power spectrum, and detective quantum efficiency. Observer models have been shown capable of overcoming these limitations and are able to comprehensively evaluate medical-imaging systems. We present a spatial domain-based channelized Hotelling observer model to calculate the detectability index (DI) of our different sized disks and compare the performance of different imaging conditions and angiography systems. When appropriate, changes in DIs were compared to expectations based on the classical Rose model of signal detection to assess linearity of the model with quantum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) theory. For these experiments, the estimated uncertainty of the DIs was less than 3%, allowing for precise comparison of imaging systems or conditions. For most experimental variables, DI changes were linear with expectations based on quantum SNR theory. DIs calculated for the smallest objects demonstrated nonlinearity with quantum SNR theory due to system blur. Two angiography systems with different detector element sizes were shown to perform similarly across the majority of the detection tasks. PMID:26158086

Experimental demonstration of quantum teleportation of a squeezed state

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Takei, Nobuyuki; Aoki, Takao; Yonezawa, Hidehiro

2005-10-15

Quantum teleportation of a squeezed state is demonstrated experimentally. Due to some inevitable losses in experiments, a squeezed vacuum necessarily becomes a mixed state which is no longer a minimum uncertainty state. We establish an operational method of evaluation for quantum teleportation of such a state using fidelity and discuss the classical limit for the state. The measured fidelity for the input state is 0.85{+-}0.05, which is higher than the classical case of 0.73{+-}0.04. We also verify that the teleportation process operates properly for the nonclassical state input and its squeezed variance is certainly transferred through the process. We observemore » the smaller variance of the teleported squeezed state than that for the vacuum state input.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jentschura, Ulrich D.; National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8401; Mohr, Peter J.

We describe the calculation of hydrogenic (one-loop) Bethe logarithms for all states with principal quantum numbers n{<=}200. While, in principle, the calculation of the Bethe logarithm is a rather easy computational problem involving only the nonrelativistic (Schroedinger) theory of the hydrogen atom, certain calculational difficulties affect highly excited states, and in particular states for which the principal quantum number is much larger than the orbital angular momentum quantum number. Two evaluation methods are contrasted. One of these is based on the calculation of the principal value of a specific integral over a virtual photon energy. The other method relies directlymore » on the spectral representation of the Schroedinger-Coulomb propagator. Selected numerical results are presented. The full set of values is available at arXiv.org/quant-ph/0504002.« less

Canonical Drude Weight for Non-integrable Quantum Spin Chains

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mastropietro, Vieri; Porta, Marcello

2018-03-01

The Drude weight is a central quantity for the transport properties of quantum spin chains. The canonical definition of Drude weight is directly related to Kubo formula of conductivity. However, the difficulty in the evaluation of such expression has led to several alternative formulations, accessible to different methods. In particular, the Euclidean, or imaginary-time, Drude weight can be studied via rigorous renormalization group. As a result, in the past years several universality results have been proven for such quantity at zero temperature; remarkably, the proofs work for both integrable and non-integrable quantum spin chains. Here we establish the equivalence of Euclidean and canonical Drude weights at zero temperature. Our proof is based on rigorous renormalization group methods, Ward identities, and complex analytic ideas.

Suppression of quantum phase interference in the molecular magnet Fe8 with dipolar-dipolar interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhi-De; Liang, J.-Q.; Shen, Shun-Qing

2002-09-01

Renormalized tunnel splitting with a finite distribution in the biaxial spin model for molecular magnets is obtained by taking into account the dipolar interaction of enviromental spins. Oscillation of the resonant tunnel splitting with a transverse magnetic field along the hard axis is smeared by the finite distribution, which subsequently affects the quantum steps of the hysteresis curve evaluated in terms of the modified Landau-Zener model of spin flipping induced by the sweeping field. We conclude that the dipolar-dipolar interaction drives decoherence of quantum tunneling in the molecular magnet Fe8, which explains why the quenching points of tunnel splitting between odd and even resonant tunneling predicted theoretically were not observed experimentally.

Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics study of the melting behaviors of n-atom (n = 6, 10) graphene quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shekaari, Ashkan; Abolhassani, Mohammad Reza

2017-06-01

First-principles molecular dynamics has been applied to inquire into the melting behaviors of n-atom (n = 6, 10) graphene quantum dots (GQD6 and zigzag GQD10) within the temperature range of T = 0-500 K. The temperature dependence of the geometry of each quantum dot is thoroughly evaluated via calculating the related shape deformation parameters and the eigenvalues of the quadrupole tensors. Examining the variations of some phase-transition indicators such as root-mean-square bond length fluctuations and mean square displacements broadly proposes the value of Tm = 70 K for the melting point of GQD6 while a continuous, two-stage phase transition has been concluded for zigzag GQD10.

Which Kind of Mathematics for Quantum Mechanics? the Relevance of H. Weyl's Program of Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Drago, Antonino

In 1918 Weyl's book Das Kontinuum planned to found anew mathematics upon more conservative bases than both rigorous mathematics and set theory. It gave birth to the so-called Weyl's elementary mathematics, i.e. an intermediate mathematics between the mathematics rejecting at all actual infinity and the classical one including it almost freely. The present paper scrutinises the subsequent Weyl's book Gruppentheorie und Quantenmechanik (1928) as a program for founding anew theoretical physics - through quantum theory - and at the same time developing his mathematics through an improvement of group theory; which, according to Weyl, is a mathematical theory effacing the old distinction between discrete and continuous mathematics. Evidence from Weyl's writings is collected for supporting this interpretation. Then Weyl's program is evaluated as unsuccessful, owing to some crucial difficulties of both physical and mathematical nature. The present clear-cut knowledge of Weyl's elementary mathematics allows us to re-evaluate Weyl's program in order to look for more adequate formulations of quantum mechanics in any weaker kind of mathematics than the classical one.

Preference reversal in quantum decision theory

PubMed Central

Yukalov, Vyacheslav I.; Sornette, Didier

2015-01-01

We consider the psychological effect of preference reversal and show that it finds a natural explanation in the frame of quantum decision theory. When people choose between lotteries with non-negative payoffs, they prefer a more certain lottery because of uncertainty aversion. But when people evaluate lottery prices, e.g., for selling to others the right to play them, they do this more rationally, being less subject to behavioral biases. This difference can be explained by the presence of the attraction factors entering the expression of quantum probabilities. Only the existence of attraction factors can explain why, considering two lotteries with close utility factors, a decision maker prefers one of them when choosing, but evaluates higher the other one when pricing. We derive a general quantitative criterion for the preference reversal to occur that relates the utilities of the two lotteries to the attraction factors under choosing vs. pricing and test successfully its application on experiments by Tversky et al. We also show that the planning paradox can be treated as a kind of preference reversal. PMID:26500592