Physics Commons^™

Perspectives On Determinism In Quantum Mechanics: Born, Bohm, And The “Quantal Newtonian” Laws, Viraht Sahni

Publications and Research

Quantum mechanics has a deterministic Schrödinger equation for the wave function. The Göttingen–Copenhagen statistical interpretation is based on the Born Rule that interprets the wave function as a “probability amplitude.” A precept of this interpretation is the lack of determinism in quantum mechanics. The Bohm interpretation is that the wave function is a source of a field experienced by the electrons, thereby attributing determinism to quantum theory. In this paper, we present a new perspective on such determinism. The ideas are based on the equations of motion or “Quantal Newtonian” Laws obeyed by each electron. These Laws, derived from …

Atom-Specific Probing Of Electron Dynamics In An Atomic Adsorbate By Time-Resolved X-Ray Spectroscopy, Simon Schreck, Elias Diesen, Martina Dell'angela, Chang Liu, Matthew Weston, Flavio Capotondi, Hirohito Ogasawara, Jerry Larue, Roberto Costantini, Martin Beye, Piter S. Miedema, Joakim Halldin Stenlid, Jörgen Gladh, Boyang Liu, Hsin-Yi Wang, Fivos Perakis, Filippo Cavalca, Sergey Koroidov, Peter Amann, Emanuele Pedersoli, Denys Naumenko, Ivaylo Nikolov, Lorenzo Raimondi, Frank Abild-Pedersen, Tony F. Heinz, Johannes Voss, Alan C. Luntz, Anders Nilsson

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

The electronic excitation occurring on adsorbates at ultrafast timescales from optical lasers that initiate surface chemical reactions is still an open question. Here, we report the ultrafast temporal evolution of x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and x-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) of a simple well-known adsorbate prototype system, namely carbon (C) atoms adsorbed on a nickel [Ni(100)] surface, following intense laser optical pumping at 400 nm. We observe ultrafast (∼100  fs) changes in both XAS and XES showing clear signatures of the formation of a hot electron-hole pair distribution on the adsorbate. This is followed by slower changes on a few picoseconds …

Fill And Dump Measurement Of The Neutron Lifetime Using An Asymmetric Magneto-Gravitational Trap, Alexander Komives, Et Al.

Physics & Astronomy Faculty publications

The past two decades have yielded several new measurements and reanalysis of older measurements of the neutron lifetime. These have led to a 4.4 standard deviation discrepancy between the most precise measurements of the neutron decay rate producing protons in cold neutron beams and the most precise lifetime measured in neutron storage experiments. Measurements using different techniques are important for investigating whether there are unidentified systematic effects in any of the measurements. In this paper we report a new measurement using the Los Alamos asymmetric magneto-gravitational trap where the surviving neutrons are counted external to the trap using the fill …

Highly Efficient Photocatalysts For Methylene Blue Degradation Based On A Platform Of Deposited Go-Zno Nanoparticles On Polyurethane Foam, Mohamed Morsy

Nanotechnology Research Centre

No abstract provided.

Model-Based Cross-Correlation Search For Gravitational Waves From The Low-Mass X-Ray Binary Scorpius X-1 In Ligo O3 Data, R. Abbott, H. Abe, Fausto Acernese, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Francisco Llamas, Soma Mukherjee, Gaukhar Nurbek, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present the results of a model-based search for continuous gravitational waves from the low-mass X-ray binary Scorpius X-1 using LIGO detector data from the third observing run of Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo. This is a semicoherent search that uses details of the signal model to coherently combine data separated by less than a specified coherence time, which can be adjusted to balance sensitivity with computing cost. The search covered a range of gravitational-wave frequencies from 25 to 1600 Hz, as well as ranges in orbital speed, frequency, and phase determined from observational constraints. No significant detection candidates were …

Classical Mechanics, Mark D. Shattuck

Open Educational Resources

Syllabus for Classical Mechanics

Golay Codes And Quantum Contextuality, Mordecai Waegell, P. K. Aravind

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

It is shown that the codewords of the binary and ternary Golay codes can be converted into rays in RP²³ and RP¹¹ that provide proofs of the Kochen-Specker theorem in real state spaces of dimensions 24 and 12, respectively. Some implications of these results are discussed.

Coordination Chemistry Of Uranyl Ions With Surface-Immobilized Peptides: An Xps Study, Esha Mishra, Cody M. Schultz, Rebecca Lai, Peter A. Dowben

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Faculty Publications

The coordination chemistry of uranyl ions with surface immobilized peptides was studied using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). All the peptides in the study were modified using a six-carbon alkanethiol as a linker on a gold substrate with methylene blue as the redox label. The X-ray photoemission spectra reveal that each modified peptide interacts differently with the uranyl ion. For all the modified peptides, the XPS spectra were taken in both the absence and presence of the uranium, and their comparison reveals that the interaction depends on the chemical group present in the peptides. The XPS results show that, among all …

Fourier Acceleration In The Linear Sigma Model, Cameron Cianci

Honors Scholar Theses

The linear sigma model is a low energy effective model of Quantum Chromodynamics. This model mimics the breaking of chiral symmetry both spontaneously and explicitly through the quark condensate and pion mass matrix respectively. Fourier acceleration is a method that can be implemented in the Hybrid Monte-Carlo algorithm which decreases autocorrelations due to critical slowing down through tuning the mass parameters in the HMC algorithm. Fourier acceleration is applied to the linear sigma model with a novel mass estimation procedure, by assuming the modes behave approximately like simple harmonic oscillators. The masses are chosen by sampling the expectation values of …

Pyseg: A Python Package For 2d Material Flake Localization, Segmentation, And Thickness Prediction, Diana B. Horangic

Student Research Projects

Thin materials are of interest for their extraordinary physical, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties. Monolayers and bilayers of 2D materials can be manufactured through a variety of exfoliation methods. To determine layer thickness, Raman spectroscopy or other methods like Rayleigh scattering are used. These methods are, however, slow, and they require equipment beyond an optical microscope. A Python package that automates flake identification processes was built, with access solely to RGB data from an optical microscope assumed. My package, pyseg, localizes flakes on a substrate and then makes a rough estimate of their thickness from first principles. It can …

Effects Of Exposure To Atmospheric Humidity On Breakdown Field Strength Measurements Of Polymers, Megan Loveland Dewaal

Physics Capstone Projects

This study investigates the effects of absorbed water introduced via exposure to atmospheric humidity on electrostatic breakdown field strength measurements of polymers. Conducting breakdown tests under sample conditions appropriate for different applications is essential. If the breakdown field strength is overestimated for an application, an insulator may be used inappropriately in high electric fields where they are more likely to break down. Comparisons are made between: sets of pristine samples, samples that underwent a thorough vacuum bake out to remove absorbed water, and samples subject to subsequent incremental prolonged atmospheric exposure. These investigated the effects of absorbed water and determined …

Does Science Need Intersubjectivity? The Problem Of Confirmation In Orthodox Interpretations Of Quantum Mechanics, Emily Adlam

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Any successful interpretation of quantum mechanics must explain how our empirical evidence allows us to come to know about quantum mechanics. In this article, we argue that this vital criterion is not met by the class of ‘orthodox interpretations,’ which includes QBism, neo-Copenhagen interpretations, and some versions of relational quantum mechanics. We demonstrate that intersubjectivity fails in radical ways in these approaches, and we explain why intersubjectivity matters for empirical confirmation. We take a detailed look at the way in which belief-updating might work in the kind of universe postulated by an orthodox interpretation, and argue that observers in such …

Black Holes, Disk Structures, And Cosmological Implications In E-Dimensional Space, Subhash Kak, Menas C. Kafatos

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We examine a modern view of the universe that builds on achieved successes of quantum mechanics, general relativity, and information theory, bringing them together in integrated approach that is founded on the realization that space itself is e-dimensional. The global and local implications of noninteger dimensionality are examined, and how it may have increased from the value of zero to its current value is investigated. We find surprising aspects that tie to structures in the universe, black holes, and the role of observations.

Extracellular Vimentin Is Sufficient To Promote Cell Attachment, Spreading, And Motility By A Mechanism Involving N-Acetyl Glucosamine-Containing Structures, Robert Bucki, Daniel V. Iwamoto, Xuechen Shi, Katherine E. Kerr, Fitzroy J. Byfield, Lukasz Suprewicz, Karol Sklodowski, Julian Sutaria, Pawel Misiak, Agnieszka Z. Wilczewska, Sekar Ramachandran, Aaron Wolfe, Minh H. Thanh, Eli Whalen, Alison E. Patteson, Paul A. Janmey

Physics - All Scholarship

Vimentin intermediate !laments form part of the cytoskeleton

of mesenchymal cells, but under pathological conditions often

associatedwith in"ammation, vimentin !laments depolymerize as

the result of phosphorylation or citrullination, and vimentin

oligomers are secreted or released into the extracellular environment.

In the extracellular space, vimentin can bind surfaces of cells

and the extracellular matrix, and the interaction between extracellular

vimentin and cells can trigger changes in cellular functions,

such as activation of !broblasts to a !brotic phenotype. The

mechanism by which extracellular vimentin binds external cell

membranes and whether vimentin alone can act as an adhesive

anchor for cells is largely …

What Is Nonclassical About Uncertainty Relations?, Lorenzo Catani, Matthew S. Leifer, Giovanni Scala, David Schmid, Robert W. Spekkens

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Uncertainty relations express limits on the extent to which the outcomes of distinct measurements on a single state can be made jointly predictable. The existence of nontrivial uncertainty relations in quantum theory is generally considered to be a way in which it entails a departure from the classical worldview. However, this perspective is undermined by the fact that there exist operational theories which exhibit nontrivial uncertainty relations but which are consistent with the classical worldview insofar as they admit of a generalized-noncontextual ontological model. This prompts the question of what aspects of uncertainty relations, if any, cannot be realized in …

Ultrafast Electron Diffraction: Visualizing Dynamic States Of Matter, D. Filippetto, P. Musumeci, R. K. Li, B. J. Siwick, M. R. Otto, Martin Centurion, J. P. F. Nunes

Department of Physics and Astronomy: Faculty Publications

Since the discovery of electron-wave duality, electron scattering instrumentation has developed into a powerful array of techniques for revealing the atomic structure of matter. Beyond detecting local lattice variations in equilibrium structures with the highest possible spatial resolution, recent research efforts have been directed toward the long-sought-after dream of visualizing the dynamic evolution of matter in real time. The atomic behavior at ultrafast timescales carries critical information on phase transition and chemical reaction dynamics, the coupling of electronic and nuclear degrees of freedom in materials and molecules, and the correlation among structure, function, and previously hidden metastable or nonequilibrium states …

Ds2 As Excitation Of Ads2, Florian Ecker, Daniel Grumiller, Robert Mcnees

Physics: Faculty Publications and Other Works

Title- dS₂ as excitation of AdS₂

We introduce a family of 2D dilaton gravity models with state-dependent constant curvature so that dS₂ emerges as an excitation of AdS₂. Curiously, the strong coupling region corresponds to the asymptotic region geometrically. Apart from these key differences, many features resemble the Almheiri–Polchinski model. We discuss perturbative and non-perturbative thermodynamical stability, bubble nucleation through matter shockwaves, and semiclassical backreaction effects. In some of these models, we find that low temperatures are dominated by AdS₂ but high temperatures are dominated by dS₂, concurrent with a recent proposal …

Six-Dimensional Single-Molecule Imaging With Isotropic Resolution Using A Multi-View Reflector Microscope, Oumeng Zhang, Zijian Guo, Yuanyuan He, Tingting Wu, Michael D. Vahey, Matthew D. Lew

Electrical & Systems Engineering Publications and Presentations

Imaging of both the positions and orientations of single fluorophores, termed single-molecule orientation-localization microscopy, is a powerful tool for the study of biochemical processes. However, the limited photon budget associated with single-molecule fluorescence makes high-dimensional imaging with isotropic, nanoscale spatial resolution a formidable challenge. Here we realize a radially and azimuthally polarized multi-view reflector (raMVR) microscope for the imaging of the three-dimensional (3D) positions and 3D orientations of single molecules, with precisions of 10.9 nm and 2.0° over a 1.5-μm depth range. The raMVR microscope achieves 6D super-resolution imaging of Nile red molecules transiently bound to lipid-coated spheres, accurately resolving …

Stabilization Of Zero-Energy Skin Modes In Finite Non-Hermitian Lattices, Cem Yuce, Hamidreza Ramezani

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

The zero energy of a one-dimensional semi-infinite non-Hermitian lattice with nontrivial spectral topology may disappear when we introduce boundaries to the system. While the corresponding zero-energy state can be considered as a quasi-edge state for the finite lattice with a long survival time, any small disruption (noise) in the initial form of the quasi-edge state can significantly shorten the survival time. Here, by tailoring the couplings at one edge we form an exceptional point allowing for a topological phase transition and the stabilization of the quasi-edge state in a finite-size lattice with open edges. Such a small modification in the …

Spacecraft Charging Test Considerations For Composite Materials, Allen Andersen, Wousik Kim, J. R. Dennison, Brian Wood, Todd A. Schneider, Jason Vaughn, Kenneth H. Wright Jr., Nelson W. Green, Eric Suh, Joel Schwartz, Abdul-Majeed Azad

Journal Articles

Composite materials present a growing challenge for spacecraft charging assessments. We review some recent lessons learned for charging tests of composite materials using both parallel-plate and electron beam test geometries. We also discuss examples of materials that exhibit significant variations between samples, despite them all having the same trade name.

Supercontinuum Light Generation Via Non-Linear Effects In Hollow-Core Fiber, Skyler Gulati

Physics Student Works

The field of non-linear optics has gained traction in the last couple decades due to the variable generation of wavelengths which are less deterministic than within traditional optics. Using non-linear mediums, including hollow-core fibers (HCF), generation of wavelengths spanning into the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) wavelength range is possible. These short wavelengths can be utilized within electron spectroscopy-based methods of material science like angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). This technique most often uses specific photoemission lines of atoms in discharge lamps, however, with the frequency dispersion capabilities of HCF, broad band creation can allow for variable wavelength selection through filtering specific wavelengths …

A Study Of The Structural, Optical, And Ferroelectric Characteristics Of Pb-Ge-Te Nanocrystalline Alloys As Potential Candidates For Memory Devices And Near-Infrared (Nir) Applications, Asmaa Elkhodary, Salah M. Elsheikh, Hosny A. Omar, Manal A. Mahdy, Iman A. Mahdy

Basic Science Engineering

Pb_50-xGe_xTe₅₀ (x = 15, 20, 25, 30 at. %) nanocrystalline bulk alloys were prepared using solid-state direct reaction. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis of the reference structure (Ge = 15 at.%) revealed a slightly distorted cubic structure, with a lattice parameter of 6.43 Å and an inter-axis unit cell angle of 88.69◦. Atomic force images’ analysis and histograms displayed a homogenous particle size distribution in the nanoscale for all samples. Density measurements showed a gradual decrease from 7.89 to 6.98 g/cm3 with increasing Ge content in agreement with the calculated values. …

Coupled Spherical-Cavities, Stanislav Kreps, Vladimir Shuvayev, Mark Douvidzon, Baheej Bathish, Tom Lenkiewicz Abudi, Amirreza Ghaznavi, Jie Xu, Yang Lin, Lev Deych, Tal Carmon

Publications and Research

In this work, we study theoretically and experimentally optical modes of photonic molecules—clusters of optically coupled spherical resonators. Unlike previous studies, we do not use stems to hold spheres in their positions relying, instead on optical tweezers to maintain desired structures. The modes of the coupled resonators are excited using a tapered fiber and are observed as resonances with a quality factor as high as 107. Using the fluorescent mapping technique, we observe families of coupled modes with similar spatial and spectral shapes repeating every free spectral range (a spectral separation between adjacent resonances of individual spheres). Experimental results are …

Global Sporadic-E Occurrence Rate Climatology Using Gps Radio Occultation And Ionosonde Data, Travis J. Hodos, Omar A. Nava, Eugene V. Dao, Daniel J. Emmons

Faculty Publications

An updated global climatology of blanketing sporadic E (Es) is developed from a combined data set of Global Positioning System (GPS) radio occultation (RO) and ground-based ionosonde soundings over the period of September 2006–January 2019. A total of 46 sites and 3.2 million total soundings from the Global Ionosphere Radio Observatory network in combination with 3.0 million occultations from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate constellation are used to calculate global occurrence rates (ORs) for two blanketing frequency thresholds: all blanketing sporadic-E with no limit on intensity (all-Es) and moderate-Es with fbEs …

Fluid-Structure Interaction Modelling Of Neighboring Tubes With Primary Cilium Analysis, Nerion Zekaj, Shawn D. Ryan, Andrew Resnick

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

We have developed a numerical model of two osculating cylindrical elastic renal tubules to investigate the impact of neighboring tubules on the stress applied to a primary cilium. We hypothesize that the stress at the base of the primary cilium will depend on the mechanical coupling of the tubules due to local constrained motion of the tubule wall. The objective of this work was to determine the in-plane stresses of a primary cilium attached to the inner wall of one renal tubule subject to the applied pulsatile flow, with a neighboring renal tube filled with stagnant fluid in close proximity …

Dataset For Electronic And Optical Properties Of Y2o2s And Er Dopped Y2o2s Calculated Using Density Functional Theory And Simulated X-Ray Near Edge Spectra, N. Dimakis, Eric Baldemar Rodriguez Jr., Kofi Nketia Ackaah-Gyasi, Madhab Pokhrel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

The computational data presented in this paper refer to the research article “Optical properties and simulated x-ray near edge spectra for Y2O2S and Er doped Y2O2S”. We present the data used to calculate the structural, electronic, and optical properties of the Y2O2S and its Er+3 doped counterparts at various concentrations using density functional theory (DFT) and simulated X-ray near edge (XANES) spectra. We report electronic information from DFT and DFT+U generated from the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP) using PAW pseudopotentials. We also report VASP calculated optical properties for the host Y2O2S using the independent particle approximation (IPA), the …

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements At The Nanoscale In Air And Fluid, Ashton E. Enrriques, Sean Howard, Raju Timsina, Nawal K. Khadka, Amber N. Hoover, Allison E. Ray, Ling Ding, Chioma Onwumelu, Stephan Nordeng, Laxman Mainali, Gunes Uzer, Paul H. Davis

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

An atomic force microscope (AFM) fundamentally measures the interaction between a nanoscale AFM probe tip and the sample surface. If the force applied by the probe tip and its contact area with the sample can be quantified, it is possible to determine the nanoscale mechanical properties (e.g., elastic or Young's modulus) of the surface being probed. A detailed procedure for performing quantitative AFM cantilever-based nanoindentation experiments is provided here, with representative examples of how the technique can be applied to determine the elastic moduli of a wide variety of sample types, ranging from kPa to GPa. These include live mesenchymal …

Boost The Lead Conversion Efficiency For The Synthesis Of Colloidal 2d Pbs Nanosheets, Tharaka Mds Weeraddana, Adam Roach, Shashini M. Premathilaka, Yiteng Tang, Jordan Fox, Liangfeng Sun

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

In the synthesis of colloidal PbS nanosheets, the supernatant of the reaction solution is reused to boost the lead conversion efficiency. It doubles the conversion efficiency of the lead precursors to the PbS nanosheets. The nanosheets synthesized by reusing the supernatant have similar morphology, nearly identical thickness, and optical properties as the original ones, confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. This method reduces the toxic Pb-containing waste during the synthesis, a step toward the green and scalable synthesis of colloidal 2D PbS nanosheets.

Γ-Ray Emission From Classical Nova V392 Per: Measurements From Fermi And Hawc, A. Albert, R. Alfaro, C. Alvarez, J. C. Arteaga-Velázquez, D. Avila Rojas, H. A.Ayala Solares, R. Babu, E. Belmont-Moreno, C. Blochwitz, K. S. Caballero-Mora, T. Capistrán, A. Carramiñana, S. Casanova, O. Chaparro-Amaro, U. Cotti, J. Cotzomi, E. De La Fuente, C. De León, S. Coutiño De León, R. Diaz Hernandez, B. L. Dingus, M. A. Duvernois, M. Durocher, J. C. Díaz-Vélez, K. Engel, C. Espinoza, K. L. Fan, K. Fang, N. Fraija, J. A. García-González, F. Garfias

Michigan Tech Publications

This paper reports on the γ-ray properties of the 2018 Galactic nova V392 Per, spanning photon energies ∼0.1 GeV-100 TeV by combining observations from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and the HAWC Observatory. As one of the most rapidly evolving γ-ray signals yet observed for a nova, GeV γ-rays with a power-law spectrum with an index Γ = 2.0 ± 0.1 were detected over 8 days following V392 Per’s optical maximum. HAWC observations constrain the TeV γ-ray signal during this time and also before and after. We observe no statistically significant evidence of TeV γ-ray emission from V392 Per, but …

All-Sky Search For Continuous Gravitational Waves From Isolated Neutron Stars Using Advanced Ligo And Advanced Virgo O3 Data, R. Abbott, H. Abe, M. G. Benjamin, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Francisco Llamas, Soma Mukherjee, Gaukhar Nurbek, Volker Quetschke, Wenhui Wang

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications and Presentations

We present results of an all-sky search for continuous gravitational waves which can be produced by spinning neutron stars with an asymmetry around their rotation axis, using data from the third observing run of the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. Four different analysis methods are used to search in a gravitational-wave frequency band from 10 to 2048 Hz and a first frequency derivative from −10−8 to 10−9  Hz/s. No statistically significant periodic gravitational-wave signal is observed by any of the four searches. As a result, upper limits on the gravitational-wave strain amplitude h0 are calculated. The best upper limits …