DOCSLIB.ORG

Quantum Estimation of Parameters of Classical Spacetimes

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Quantum Estimation of Parameters of Classical Spacetimes PHYSICAL REVIEW D 96, 105004 (2017) Quantum estimation of parameters of classical spacetimes T. G. Downes,1,* J. R. van Meter,2,3 E. Knill,3 G. J. Milburn,1 and C. M. Caves1,4 1Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia 2Department of Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, USA 3National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, Colorado 80305, USA 4Center for Quantum Information and Control, University of New Mexico, MSC07–4220, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131-0001, USA (Received 17 November 2016; published 6 November 2017) We describe a quantum limit to the measurement of classical spacetimes. Specifically, we formulate a quantum Cram´er-Rao lower bound for estimating the single parameter in any one-parameter family of spacetime metrics. We employ the locally covariant formulation of quantum field theory in curved spacetime, which allows for a manifestly background-independent derivation. The result is an uncertainty relation that applies to all globally hyperbolic spacetimes. Among other examples, we apply our method to the detection of gravitational waves with the electromagnetic field as a probe, as in laser-interferometric gravitational-wave detectors. Other applications are discussed, from terrestrial gravimetry to cosmology. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.96.105004 I. INTRODUCTION connection between local changes in the metric and relative changes in the states of quantum fields that live on the The geometry of spacetime can be inferred from physical spacetime. These changes, used to sense the spacetime measurements made with clocks and rulers or, more gen- parameters, can be characterized in terms of an evolution of erally, with quantum fields, sources, and detectors. We the state driven by a stress-energy integral with respect to assume that the ultimate precision achievable is determined ˆ by quantum mechanics. In this paper we obtain parameter- the change in the metric, which gives the operator P. based quantum uncertainty relations that bound the preci- For the universal connection between changes in states sion with which we can determine properties of spacetime in of quantum fields and the stress-energy integrals, we rely terms of stress-energy variances. Such uncertainty relations on the locally covariant formalism for quantum fields on might become increasingly relevant to empirical observation curved spacetime backgrounds [5]. For this purpose, we treat gravity classically as in general relativity, determined as, for example, laser-interferometric gravitational-wave − detectors are expected to approach quantum-limited sensi- by a metric with signature ð ; þ; þ; þÞ on a spacetime manifold. This is treated as a fixed background on which tivity across a wide bandwidth in the near future. — An informative, high-level way to quantify the precision the quantum fields used for measurements we call these “ ”— of a parameter measurement is by the inverse variance probe fields propagate. In particular, we do not con- sider back action from the quantum fields on the metric. In hðδθ~Þ2i of an estimator θ~. The best precision with which we any case, we expect that such back action would transfer can measure a parameter is determined by the quantum uncertainty in the quantum field being measured to the Fisher information [1,2]. For pure states, the Fisher infor- metric and reduce the achievable precision, for otherwise, mation reduces to a multiple of the variance hðΔPˆÞ2i of an ˆ by an argument given in Refs. [6,7], the uncertainty evolution operator P that describes how the quantum state principle for matter would be violated (see also Ref. [8] changes with changes in the parameter. This determines a for a study of the problem of back action when measuring parameter-based uncertainty relation [3,4], the structure of spacetime). We allow for the presence of classical fields that can ℏ2 hðδθ~Þ2ihðΔPˆÞ2i ≥ ; ð1:1Þ propagate on the spacetime background. We only consider 4 those fields that play a direct role as sources for the quantum fields used for measurement. These sources are whose form is reminiscent of the Heisenberg uncertainty determined by classical devices needed to implement the relations. measurement. For the types of measurement considered Such parameter-based uncertainty relations can be here, the parametrized changes of the metric are indepen- applied to parameters associated with local changes of dent of these equipment-related classical fields. In particu- the spacetime metric. They are derived from a universal lar, these classical fields contain no information about the parameter of interest, and for this reason we do not model *[email protected] them explicitly. 2470-0010=2017=96(10)=105004(23) 105004-1 © 2017 American Physical Society DOWNES, VAN METER, KNILL, MILBURN, and CAVES PHYSICAL REVIEW D 96, 105004 (2017) Our work in this paper relies on the parameter-based This approach was used by Braunstein, Caves, and uncertainty relation (1.1). To put such uncertainty relations Milburn [4] to develop optimal quantum estimation for in context, we consider now how the familiar Heisenberg spacetime displacements in flat Minkowski spacetime. In uncertainty relations generalize to parameter-based uncer- spacetime, not only can one move a fixed proper distance or tainty relations. The Heisenberg uncertainty relation for time, one can also boost and rotate. Quantum parameter position and momentum states that the product of the estimation was thus also developed for the parameters uncertainties in position and momentum, for any quantum corresponding to these actions [4]. The results were state, must be greater than a constant. In terms of the developed with the quantized electromagnetic field as variances of position and momentum, the Heisenberg the probe. These results show that estimates of a spacetime uncertainty relation is written as translation can be made increasingly accurate as the uncertainty in the operator that generates the translation, ℏ2 boost, or rotation is made very large. Δ ˆ 2 Δ ˆ 2 ≥ hð xÞ ihð pÞ i 4 ; ð1:2Þ In this paper we are interested in limits on the precision of estimates of parameters of the classical gravitational field. In general relativity the gravitational field is a where ℏ is the reduced Planck’s constant. The Heisenberg manifestation of the geometry of spacetime, which is uncertainty relation is derived in standard quantum described by a metric. The metric determines the length mechanics, where position and momentum are both rep- of the invariant (proper) interval between two spacetime resented as Hermitian operators. events according to [9] A similar relation, albeit with a different interpretation, exists between time and energy: 2 μ ν ds ¼ gμνðxÞdx dx ; ð1:4Þ ℏ2 δ 2 Δ ˆ 2 ≥ μ ν 0 hð tÞ ihð HÞ i 4 : ð1:3Þ where gμνðxÞ is the metric tensor, with indices , ¼ ,1, 2, 3 for time and the three spatial coordinates. The dxμ are Unlike position, time in standard quantum mechanics is a infinitesimal coordinate differences. We assume the classical parameter. The time-energy uncertainty relation is Einstein summation convention, where repeated upper an example of a quantum limit on parameter estimation. and lower indices are summed over. One tries to estimate a classical parameter, in this case time, Before we describe the relevant quantum parameter by making measurements on a quantum system, a “clock,” estimation, we ask the following: can any insight be found whose evolution depends on time. In the time-energy by applying the Heisenberg uncertainty relation, in its 2 parameter-based form, directly to a proper distance? It was uncertainty relation (1.3), hðδtÞ i is the classical variance along these lines that Unruh [10] derived an uncertainty of the estimate of t; this classical variance arises ultimately relation for a component of the metric tensor. Once from quantum uncertainties in clock variables conjugate to coordinates are chosen, there should only be quantum the Hamiltonian H. uncertainty in the proper time and the proper distance. As The most common way to make quantum mechanics these are in turn related to the metric via Eq. (1.4), any compatible with classical relativity is to demote position to uncertainty in the proper distance is equivalent to uncer- a parameter, just like time in the previous example. Physical tainty in the metric. By applying the Heisenberg uncer- systems can then be thought of as living on, and intera- tainty relation to a proper distance, Unruh found a simple, cting with, the classical spacetime manifold. In this yet insightful uncertainty relation for a single component of relativistic context, the position-momentum uncertainty the metric. The Unruh uncertainty relation for the g11 relation naturally becomes a quantum limit on parameter component of the metric (assuming particular Cartesian- estimation [3]. like coordinates), in terms of variances, is This parameter-based approach is the natural, opera- tional way to think of uncertainty relations. Nothing in the ℏ2 traditional Heisenberg uncertainty relation (1.2) refers 2 ˆ 11 2 hðδg11Þ ihðΔT Þ i ≥ ; ð1:5Þ directly to a measurement of position or momentum. In V2 the parameter-based approach, one considers measure- ments of any sort whose results are used to estimate where here, and henceforth, we use units such that changes in a parameter; quantum mechanics then says, G ¼ c ¼ 1. The conjugate variable to g11 is the corre- via the quantum Fisher information, that the uncertainty of sponding component of the quantized stress-energy tensor, 11 the estimate is limited by the uncertainty in the operator that in this case the pressure Tˆ in the x1 direction. The key generates changes in the parameter, in a way that looks like feature of this uncertainty relation is the inverse propor- (but by being operational is more powerful than) a tradi- tionality to V2, the square of the four-volume of the tional Heisenberg uncertainty relation.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Short Introduction to the Quantum Formalism[S]
    A short introduction to the quantum formalism[s] François David Institut de Physique Théorique CNRS, URA 2306, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France CEA, IPhT, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France [email protected] These notes are an elaboration on: (i) a short course that I gave at the IPhT-Saclay in May- June 2012; (ii) a previous letter [Dav11] on reversibility in quantum mechanics. They present an introductory, but hopefully coherent, view of the main formalizations of quantum mechanics, of their interrelations and of their common physical underpinnings: causality, reversibility and locality/separability. The approaches covered are mainly: (ii) the canonical formalism; (ii) the algebraic formalism; (iii) the quantum logic formulation. Other subjects: quantum information approaches, quantum correlations, contextuality and non-locality issues, quantum measurements, interpretations and alternate theories, quantum gravity, are only very briefly and superficially discussed. Most of the material is not new, but is presented in an original, homogeneous and hopefully not technical or abstract way. I try to define simply all the mathematical concepts used and to justify them physically. These notes should be accessible to young physicists (graduate level) with a good knowledge of the standard formalism of quantum mechanics, and some interest for theoretical physics (and mathematics). These notes do not cover the historical and philosophical aspects of quantum physics. arXiv:1211.5627v1 [math-ph] 24 Nov 2012 Preprint IPhT t12/042 ii CONTENTS Contents 1 Introduction 1-1 1.1 Motivation . 1-1 1.2 Organization . 1-2 1.3 What this course is not! . 1-3 1.4 Acknowledgements . 1-3 2 Reminders 2-1 2.1 Classical mechanics .
    [Show full text]
  • Functional Integration on Paracompact Manifods Pierre Grange, E
    Functional Integration on Paracompact Manifods Pierre Grange, E. Werner To cite this version: Pierre Grange, E. Werner. Functional Integration on Paracompact Manifods: Functional Integra- tion on Manifold. Theoretical and Mathematical Physics, Consultants bureau, 2018, pp.1-29. hal- 01942764 HAL Id: hal-01942764 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01942764 Submitted on 3 Dec 2018 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. Functional Integration on Paracompact Manifolds Pierre Grangé Laboratoire Univers et Particules, Université Montpellier II, CNRS/IN2P3, Place E. Bataillon F-34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France E-mail: [email protected] Ernst Werner Institut fu¨r Theoretische Physik, Universita¨t Regensburg, Universita¨tstrasse 31, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany E-mail: [email protected] ........................................................................ Abstract. In 1948 Feynman introduced functional integration. Long ago the problematic aspect of measures in the space of fields was overcome with the introduction of volume elements in Probability Space, leading to stochastic formulations. More recently Cartier and DeWitt-Morette (CDWM) focused on the definition of a proper integration measure and established a rigorous mathematical formulation of functional integration. CDWM’s central observation relates to the distributional nature of fields, for it leads to the identification of distribution functionals with Schwartz space test functions as density measures.
    [Show full text]
  • Well-Defined Lagrangian Flows for Absolutely Continuous Curves of Probabilities on the Line
    Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports 2016 Well-defined Lagrangian flows for absolutely continuous curves of probabilities on the line Mohamed H. Amsaad Follow this and additional works at: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd Recommended Citation Amsaad, Mohamed H., "Well-defined Lagrangian flows for absolutely continuous curves of probabilities on the line" (2016). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 5098. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/5098 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by the The Research Repository @ WVU with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you must obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in WVU Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports collection by an authorized administrator of The Research Repository @ WVU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Well-defined Lagrangian flows for absolutely continuous curves of probabilities on the line Mohamed H. Amsaad Dissertation submitted to the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences at West Virginia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Adrian Tudorascu, Ph.D., Chair Harumi Hattori, Ph.D. Harry Gingold, Ph.D. Tudor Stanescu, Ph.D. Charis Tsikkou, Ph.D. Department Of Mathematics Morgantown, West Virginia 2016 Keywords: Continuity Equation, Lagrangian Flow, Optimal Transport, Wasserstein metric, Wasserstein space.
    [Show full text]
  • Functional Derivative
    Appendix Functional Derivative Appendix A: Calculus of Variation Consider a mapping from a vector space of functions to real number. Such mapping is called functional. One of the most representative examples of such a mapping is the action functional of analytical mechanics, A ,which is defined by Zt2 A½xtðÞ Lxt½ðÞ; vtðÞdt ðA:1Þ t1 where t is the independent variable, xtðÞis the trajectory of a particle, vtðÞ¼dx=dt is the velocity of the particle, and L is the Lagrangian which is the difference of kinetic energy and the potential: m L ¼ v2 À uxðÞ ðA:2Þ 2 Calculus of variation is the mathematical theory to find the extremal function xtðÞwhich maximizes or minimizes the functional such as Eq. (A.1). We are interested in the set of functions which satisfy the fixed boundary con- ditions such as xtðÞ¼1 x1 and xtðÞ¼2 x2. An arbitrary element of the function space may be defined from xtðÞby xtðÞ¼xtðÞþegðÞt ðA:3Þ where ε is a real number and gðÞt is any function satisfying gðÞ¼t1 gðÞ¼t2 0. Of course, it is obvious that xtðÞ¼1 x1 and xtðÞ¼2 x2. Varying ε and gðÞt generates any function of the vector space. Substitution of Eq. (A.3) to Eq. (A.1) gives Zt2 dx dg aðÞe A½¼xtðÞþegðÞt L xtðÞþegðÞt ; þ e dt ðA:4Þ dt dt t1 © Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2016 601 K.S. Cho, Viscoelasticity of Polymers, Springer Series in Materials Science 241, DOI 10.1007/978-94-017-7564-9 602 Appendix: Functional Derivative From Eq.
    [Show full text]
  • 35 Nopw It Is Time to Face the Menace
    35 XIV. CORRELATIONS AND SUSCEPTIBILITY A. Correlations - saddle point approximation: the easy way out Nopw it is time to face the menace - path integrals. We were tithering on the top of this ravine for long enough. We need to take the plunge. The meaning of the path integral is very simple - tofind the partition function of a system locallyfluctuating, we need to consider the all the possible patterns offlucutations, and the only way to do this is through a path integral. But is the path integral so bad? Well, if you believe that anyfluctuation is still quite costly, then the path integral, like the integral over the exponent of a quadratic function, is pretty much determined by where the argument of the exponent is a minimum, plus quadraticfluctuations. These belief is translated into equations via the saddle point approximation. Wefind the minimum of the free energy functional, and then expand upto second order in the exponent. 1 1 F [m(x),h] = ddx γ( m (x))2 +a(T T )m (x)2 + um (x)4 hm + ( m (x))2 ∂2F (219) L ∇ min − c min 2 min − min 2 − min � � � I write here deliberately the vague partial symbol, in fact, this should be the functional derivative. Does this look familiar? This should bring you back to the good old classical mechanics days. Where the Lagrangian is the only thing you wanted to know, and the Euler Lagrange equations were the only guidance necessary. Non of this non-commuting business, or partition function annoyance. Well, these times are back for a short time! In order tofind this, we do a variation: m(x) =m min +δm (220) Upon assignment wefind: u F [m(x),h] = ddx γ( (m +δm)) 2 +a(T T )(m +δm) 2 + (m +δm) 4 h(m +δm) (221) L ∇ min − c min 2 min − min � � � Let’s expand this to second order: d 2 2 d x γ (mmin) + δm 2γ m+γ( δm) → ∇ 2 ∇ · ∇ ∇ 2 +a (mmin) +δm 2am+aδm � � ∇ u 4 ·3 2 2 (222) + 2 mmin +2umminδm +3umminδm hm hδm] − min − Collecting terms in power ofδm, thefirst term is justF L[mmin].
    [Show full text]
  • On the Solution and Application of Rational Expectations Models With
    On the Solution and Application of Rational Expectations Models with Function-Valued States⇤ David Childers† November 16, 2015 Abstract Many variables of interest to economists take the form of time varying distribu- tions or functions. This high-dimensional ‘functional’ data can be interpreted in the context of economic models with function valued endogenous variables, but deriving the implications of these models requires solving a nonlinear system for a potentially infinite-dimensional function of infinite-dimensional objects. To overcome this difficulty, I provide methods for characterizing and numerically approximating the equilibria of dynamic, stochastic, general equilibrium models with function-valued state variables by linearization in function space and representation using basis functions. These meth- ods permit arbitrary infinite-dimensional variation in the state variables, do not impose exclusion restrictions on the relationship between variables or limit their impact to a finite-dimensional sufficient statistic, and, most importantly, come with demonstrable guarantees of consistency and polynomial time computational complexity. I demon- strate the applicability of the theory by providing an analytical characterization and computing the solution to a dynamic model of trade, migration, and economic geogra- phy. ⇤Preliminary, subject to revisions. For the latest version, please obtain from the author’s website at https://sites.google.com/site/davidbchilders/DavidChildersFunctionValuedStates.pdf †Yale University, Department of Economics. The author gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Cowles Foundation. This research has benefited from discussion and feedback from Peter Phillips, Tony Smith, Costas Arkolakis, John Geanakoplos, Xiaohong Chen, Tim Christensen, Kieran Walsh, and seminar participants at the Yale University Econometrics Seminar, Macroeconomics Lunch, and Financial Markets Reading Group.
    [Show full text]
  • Characteristic Hypersurfaces and Constraint Theory
    Characteristic Hypersurfaces and Constraint Theory Thesis submitted for the Degree of MSc by Patrik Omland Under the supervision of Prof. Stefan Hofmann Arnold Sommerfeld Center for Theoretical Physics Chair on Cosmology Abstract In this thesis I investigate the occurrence of additional constraints in a field theory, when formulated in characteristic coordinates. More specifically, the following setup is considered: Given the Lagrangian of a field theory, I formulate the associated (instantaneous) Hamiltonian problem on a characteristic hypersurface (w.r.t. the Euler-Lagrange equations) and find that there exist new constraints. I then present conditions under which these constraints lead to symplectic submanifolds of phase space. Symplecticity is desirable, because it renders Hamiltonian vector fields well-defined. The upshot is that symplecticity comes down to analytic rather than algebraic conditions. Acknowledgements After five years of study, there are many people I feel very much indebted to. Foremost, without the continuous support of my parents and grandparents, sister and aunt, for what is by now a quarter of a century I would not be writing these lines at all. Had Anja not been there to show me how to get to my first lecture (and in fact all subsequent ones), lord knows where I would have ended up. It was through Prof. Cieliebaks inspiring lectures and help that I did end up in the TMP program. Thank you, Robert, for providing peculiar students with an environment, where they could forget about life for a while and collectively find their limits, respectively. In particular, I would like to thank the TMP lonely island faction.
    [Show full text]
  • Variational Theory in the Context of General Relativity Abstract
    Variational theory in the context of general relativity Hiroki Takeda1, ∗ 1Department of Physics, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan (Dated: October 25, 2018) Abstract This is a brief note to summarize basic concepts of variational theory in general relativity for myself. This note is mainly based on Hawking(2014)"Singularities and the geometry of spacetime" and Wald(1984)"General Relativity". ∗ [email protected] 1 I. BRIEF REVIEW OF GENERAL RELATIVITY AND VARIATIONAL THEORY A. Variation defnition I.1 (Action) Let M be a differentiable manifold and Ψ be some tensor fields on M . Ψ are simply called the fields. Consider the function of Ψ, S[Ψ]. This S is a map from the set of the fields on M to the set of real numbers and called the action. a···b Ψ actually represents some fields Ψ(i) c···d(i = 1; 2; ··· ; n). I left out the indices i that indicate the number of fields and the abstract indices for the tensors. The tensor of the a···b a···b tensor fields Ψ(i) c···d(i = 1; 2; ··· ; n) at x 2 M is written by Ψ(i)jx c···d(i = 1; 2; ··· ; n). Similarly I denote the tensor of the tensor fields Ψ at x 2 M by Ψjx. defnition I.2 (Variation) Let D ⊂ M be a submanifold of M and Ψjx(u), u 2 (−ϵ, ϵ), x 2 M be the tensors of one-parameter family of the tensor fields Ψ(u), u 2 (−ϵ, ϵ) at x 2 M such that (1) Ψjx(0) = Ψ in M ; (1) (2) Ψjx(u) = Ψ in M − D: (2) Then I define the variation of the fields as follows, dΨ(u) δΨ := : (3) du u=0 In this note, I suppose the existence of the derivatives dS=duju=0 for all one-parameter family Ψ(u).
    [Show full text]
  • Current-Density Functionals in Extended Systems
    Current-Density Functionals in Extended Systems Arjan Berger Het promotieonderzoek beschreven in dit proefschrift werd uitgevoerd in de theoretische chemie groep van het Materials Science Centre (MSC) aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen. Het onderzoek werd financieel mogelijk gemaakt door de Stichting voor Fundamenteel Onderzoek der Materie (FOM). Arjan Berger, Current-Density Functionals in Extended Systems, Proefschrift Rijksuniversiteit Groningen. c J. A. Berger, 2006. RIJKSUNIVERSITEIT GRONINGEN Current-Density Functionals in Extended Systems Proefschrift ter verkrijging van het doctoraat in de Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen op gezag van de Rector Magnificus, dr. F. Zwarts, in het openbaar te verdedigen op maandag 2 oktober 2006 om 16.15 uur door Jan Adriaan Berger geboren op 24 februari 1978 te Steenwijk Promotor: prof.dr.R.Broer Copromotores: dr. R. van Leeuwen dr. ir. P. L. de Boeij Beoordelingscommissie: prof. dr. A. G¨orling prof. dr. J. Knoester prof. dr. G. Vignale ISBN: 90-367-2758-8 voor mijn ouders vi Contents General Introduction xi 0.1 Introduction................................. xi 0.2 OverviewoftheThesis.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. xiv 1 Density-Functional Theory 1 1.1 Introduction................................. 1 1.2 Preliminaries ................................ 1 1.3 Hohenberg-Kohn Theorem for Nondegenerate Ground States ..... 3 1.4 TheFunctionalDerivative . 6 1.5 Kohn-ShamTheory............................. 7 1.6 Hohenberg-Kohn Theorem for Degenerate Ground States . ..... 10 1.7 The Lieb Functional and Noninteracting v-Representability . 13 1.8 Exchange-CorrelationFunctionals. .... 17 2 Time-Dependent (Current-)Density-Functional Theory 21 2.1 Introduction................................. 21 2.2 Preliminaries ................................ 21 2.3 TheRunge-GrossTheorem . 23 2.4 Time-DependentKohn-ShamTheory. 26 2.5 The Adiabatic Local Density Approximation .
    [Show full text]
  • Strain Gradient Visco-Plasticity with Dislocation Densities Contributing to the Energy 1 Introduction
    Strain gradient visco-plasticity with dislocation densities contributing to the energy Matthias R¨ogerand Ben Schweizer1 April 18, 2017 Abstract: We consider the energetic description of a visco-plastic evolution and derive an existence result. The energies are convex, but not necessarily quadratic. Our model is a strain gradient model in which the curl of the plastic strain contributes to the energy. Our existence results are based on a time-discretization, the limit procedure relies on Helmholtz decompositions and compensated compactness. Key-words: visco-plasticity, strain gradient plasticity, energetic solution, div-curl lemma MSC: 74C10, 49J45 1 Introduction The quasi-stationary evolution of a visco-plastic body is analyzed in an energetic approach. We use the framework of infinitesimal plasticity with an additive decom- position of the strain. The equations are described with three functionals, the elastic energy, the plastic energy, and the dissipation. The three functionals are assumed to be convex, but not necessarily quadratic. In this sense, we study a three-fold non-linear system. Our interest is to include derivatives of the plastic strain p in the free energy. We are therefore dealing with a problem in the context of strain gradient plasticity. Of particular importance are contributions of curl(p) to the plastic energy, since this term measures the density of dislocations. Attributing an energy to plastic deformations means that hardening of the material is modelled. Since derivatives of p contribute to the energy, the model introduces a length scale in the plasticity problem; this is desirable for the explanation of some experimental results. We treat a model that was introduced in [16], with analysis available in [11], [21], and [22].
    [Show full text]
  • 15 Functional Derivatives
    15 Functional Derivatives 15.1 Functionals A functional G[f] is a map from a space of functions to a set of numbers. For instance, the action functional S[q] for a particle in one dimension maps the coordinate q(t), which is a function of the time t, into a number—the action of the process. If the particle has mass m and is moving slowly and freely, then for the interval (t1,t2) its action is t2 m dq(t) 2 S [q]= dt . (15.1) 0 2 dt Zt1 ✓ ◆ If the particle is moving in a potential V (q(t)), then its action is t2 m dq(t) 2 S[q]= dt V (q(t)) . (15.2) 2 dt − Zt1 " ✓ ◆ # 15.2 Functional Derivatives A functional derivative is a functional d δG[f][h]= G[f + ✏h] (15.3) d✏ ✏=0 of a functional. For instance, if Gn[f] is the functional n Gn[f]= dx f (x) (15.4) Z 626 Functional Derivatives then its functional derivative is the functional that maps the pair of functions f,h to the number d δG [f][h]= G [f + ✏h] n d✏ n ✏=0 d = dx (f(x)+ ✏h(x))n d✏ Z ✏=0 n 1 = dx nf − (x)h(x). (15.5) Z Physicists often use the less elaborate notation δG[f] = δG[f][δ ] (15.6) δf(y) y in which the function h(x)isδ (x)=δ(x y). Thus in the preceding y − example δG[f] n 1 n 1 = dx nf − (x)δ(x y)=nf − (y).
    [Show full text]
  • Instantaneous Ionization Rate As a Functional Derivative
    ARTICLE DOI: 10.1038/s42005-018-0085-5 OPEN Instantaneous ionization rate as a functional derivative I.A. Ivanov1,2, C. Hofmann 2, L. Ortmann2, A.S. Landsman2,3, Chang Hee Nam1,4 & Kyung Taec Kim1,4 1234567890():,; The notion of the instantaneous ionization rate (IIR) is often employed in the literature for understanding the process of strong field ionization of atoms and molecules. This notion is based on the idea of the ionization event occurring at a given moment of time, which is difficult to reconcile with the conventional quantum mechanics. We describe an approach defining instantaneous ionization rate as a functional derivative of the total ionization probability. The definition is based on physical quantities, such as the total ionization probability and the waveform of an ionizing pulse, which are directly measurable. The defi- nition is, therefore, unambiguous and does not suffer from gauge non-invariance. We com- pute IIR by numerically solving the time-dependent Schrödinger equation for the hydrogen atom in a strong laser field. In agreement with some previous results using attoclock methodology, the IIR we define does not show measurable delay in strong field tunnel ionization. 1 Center for Relativistic Laser Science, Institute for Basic Science, Gwangju 61005, Korea. 2 Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Noethnitzer Strasse 38, 01187 Dresden, Germany. 3 Max Planck Center for Attosecond Science/Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Korea. 4 Department of Physics and Photon Science, GIST, Gwangju 61005, Korea. Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to I.A.I.
    [Show full text]