This book describes new applications for spatio-temporal chaotic dynamical systems in elementary particle physics and quantum field theories. The stochastic quantization approach of Parisi and Wu is extended to more general deterministic chaotic processes as generated by coupled map lattices. In particular, so-called chaotic strings are introduced as a suitable small-scale dynamics of vacuum fluctuations. This more general approach to second quantization reduces to the ordinary stochastic quantization scheme on large scales, but it also opens up interesting new perspectives: chaotic strings appear to minimize their vacuum energy for the observed numerical values of the free standard model parameters.
A vacuum, classically understood, contains nothing. The quantum vacuum, on the other hand, is a seething cauldron of nothingness: particle pairs going in and out of existence continuously and rapidly while exerting influence over an enormous range of scales. Acclaimed mathematical physicist and natural philosopher Luciano Boi expounds the quantum vacuum, exploring the meaning of nothingness and its relationship with physical reality. Boi first provides a deep analysis of the interaction between geometry and physics at the quantum level. He next describes the relationship between the microscopic and macroscopic structures of the world. In so doing, Boi sheds light on the very nature of the universe, stressing in an original and profound way the relationship between quantum geometry and the internal symmetries underlying the behavior of matter and the interactions of forces. Beyond the physics and mathematics of the quantum vacuum, Boi offers a profoundly philosophical interpretation of the concept. Plato and Aristotle did not believe a vacuum was possible. How could nothing be something, they asked? Boi traces the evolution of the quantum vacuum from an abstract concept in ancient Greece to its fundamental role in quantum field theory and string theory in modern times. The quantum vacuum is a complex entity, one essential to understanding some of the most intriguing issues in twentieth-century physics, including cosmic singularity, dark matter and energy, and the existence of the Higgs boson particle. Boi explains with simple clarity the relevant theories and fundamental concepts of the quantum vacuum. Theoretical, mathematical, and particle physicists, as well as researchers and students of the history and philosophy of physics, will find The Quantum Vacuum to be a stimulating and engaging primer on the topic.
The aim of the book is to encourage an in-depth discussion of problems of fundamental importance that are common to the two cultures, but that are traditionally seen from different perspectives. The forum will bring together scientists, philosophers, humanists, musicians with the aim of fostering comprehension of problems that have traditionally troubled humankind, and establish more fertile grounds for the communication between the two cultures. The themes of the contributions are the followings: the concept of time, infinity, the concept and meaning of nothingness, numbers, intelligence and the human mind, basic mechanisms in the production of thought and of artistic creation, the relationship between artistic and scientific creativity.
The book begins with a discussion, contrasting the idealized reversibility of basic physics against the pragmatic irreversibility of real life. Computer models, and simulation, are next discussed and illustrated. Simulations provide the means to assimilate concepts through worked-out examples. State-of-the-art analyses, from the point of view of dynamical systems, are applied to many-body examples from nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and to chaotic irreversible flows from finite-difference, finite-element, and particle-based continuum simulations. Two necessary concepts from dynamical-systems theory - fractals and Lyapunov instability - are fundamental to the approach. Undergraduate-level physics, calculus, and ordinary differential equations are sufficient background for a full appreciation of this book, which is intended for advanced undergraduates, graduates, and research workers.
The book begins with a discussion, contrasting the idealized reversibility of basic physics against the pragmatic irreversibility of real life. Computer models, and simulation, are next discussed and illustrated. Simulations provide the means to assimilate concepts through worked-out examples. State-of-the-art analyses, from the point of view of dynamical systems, are applied to many-body examples from nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and to chaotic irreversible flows from finite-difference, finite-element, and particle-based continuum simulations. Two necessary concepts from dynamical-systems theory - fractals and Lyapunov instability - are fundamental to the approach. Undergraduate-level physics, calculus, and ordinary differential equations are sufficient background for a full appreciation of this book, which is intended for advanced undergraduates, graduates, and research workers.
A valuable introduction for newcomers as well as an important reference and source of inspiration for established researchers, this book provides an up-to-date summary of central topics in the field of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and dynamical systems theory.Understanding macroscopic properties of matter starting from microscopic chaos in the equations of motion of single atoms or molecules is a key problem in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Of particular interest both for theory and applications are transport processes such as diffusion, reaction, conduction and viscosity.Recent advances towards a deterministic theory of nonequilibrium statistical physics are summarized: Both Hamiltonian dynamical systems under nonequilibrium boundary conditions and non-Hamiltonian modelings of nonequilibrium steady states by using thermal reservoirs are considered. The surprising new results include transport coefficients that are fractal functions of control parameters, fundamental relations between transport coefficients and chaos quantities, and an understanding of nonequilibrium entropy production in terms of fractal measures and attractors.The theory is particularly useful for the description of many-particle systems with properties in-between conventional thermodynamics and nonlinear science, as they are frequently encountered on nanoscales.
The contributions to this volume are based on selected lectures from the first international workshop on decoherence, information, complexity and entropy (DICE). The aim of this volume is to reflect the growing importance ot common concepts behind seemingly different fields such as quantum mechanics, general relativity and statistical physics in a form accessible to nonspecialist researchers. Many presentations include original results which published here for the first time.
This book demonstrates the exciting promise that zero point energy, which supports every atom and molecule, will soon be used directly to power a car, house, or spaceship. With a clear, simple-to-understand style, a former community college teacher provides the only book with the history and science of zero point energy that emphasises its usage. Here is the only uninterruptible fuel supply for the near future that will be here sooner than you think. Business entrepreneur? You need to learn about this before your competition does.
1. Nonholonomically constrained motions. 1.1. Newton's equations. 1.2. Constraints. 1.3. Lagrange-d'Alembert equations. 1.4. Lagrange derivative. 1.5. Hamilton-d'Alembert equations. 1.6. Distributional Hamiltonian formulation. 1.7. Almost Poisson brackets. 1.8. Momenta and momentum equation. 1.9. Projection principle. 1.10. Accessible sets. 1.11. Constants of motion. 1.12. Notes -- 2. Group actions and orbit spaces. 2.1. Group actions. 2.2. Orbit spaces. 2.3. Isotropy and orbit types. 2.4. Smooth structure on an orbit space. 2.5. Subcartesian spaces. 2.6. Stratification of the orbit space by orbit types. 2.7. Derivations and vector fields on a differential space. 2.8. Vector fields on a stratified differential space. 2.9. Vector fields on an orbit space. 2.10. Tangent objects to an orbit space. 2.11. Notes -- 3. Symmetry and reduction. 3.1. Dynamical systems with symmetry. 3.2. Nonholonomic singular reduction. 3.3. Nonholonomic regular reduction. 3.4. Chaplygin systems. 3.5. Orbit types and reduction. 3.6. Conservation laws. 3.7. Lifted actions and the momentum equation. 3.8. Notes -- 4. Reconstruction, relative equilibria and relative periodic orbits. 4.1. Reconstruction. 4.2. Relative equilibria. 4.3. Relative periodic orbits. 4.4. Notes -- 5. Carathéodory's sleigh. 5.1. Basic set up. 5.2. Equations of motion. 5.3. Reduction of the E(2) symmetry. 5.4. Motion on the E(2) reduced phase space. 5.5. Reconstruction. 5.6. Notes -- 6. Convex rolling rigid body. 6.1. Basic set up. 6.2. Unconstrained motion. 6.3. Constraint distribution. 6.4. Constrained equations of motion. 6.5. Reduction of the translational [symbol] symmetry. 6.6. Reduction of E(2) symmetry. 6.7. Body of revolution. 6.8. Notes -- 7. The rolling disk. 7.1. General set up. 7.2. Reduction of the E(2) x S[symbol] symmetry. 7.3. Reconstruction. 7.4. Relative equilibria. 7.5. A potential function on an interval. 7.6. Scaling. 7.7. Solutions of the rescaled Chaplygin equations. 7.8. Bifurcations of a vertical disk. 7.9. The global geometry of the degeneracy locus. 7.10. Falling flat. 7.11. Near falling flat. 7.12. The bifurcation diagram. 7.13. The integral map. 7.14. Constant energy slices. 7.15. The spatial rotational shift. 7.16. Notes.
