Other Mathematics Commons^™

Rockin’ Rover On The Rainbow Road, Michael Kolta, Lawrence Burgee, Ying Yuan

Transformations

This paper presents a progressive series of age-appropriate lesson plans for grades K-12 that all use the same interdisciplinary activity to educate students about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) simultaneously. Technology from Texas Instruments (TI) was employed including a TI Nspire graphing calculator that can run Python programs, a TI Innovator Hub, and a TI Rover. The TI Rover is a small, robotic car that has sensors and is controlled by the calculator via the Hub hardware interface. A Python program was developed that uses the color sensor in the Rover to detect the color on colored paper …

On Links Between A Theorem Of Schoenberg, Rohlin Decompositions Of Measures, The Bochner-Minlos Theorem And The Fock Space, Daniel Alpay, Paula Cerejeiras, Palle Jorgensen, Uwe Kaehler

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The main goal of this paper is to gain new results in stochastics by drawing on, and combining, different areas that are normally not considered to be related. Thus, in this paper we extend the previous class of Gaussian-like functions ML which will allow for future generalized stochastic processes in infinite dimensional analysis. We show that an approach similar to the one by the classical Bochner-Minlos theorem for the white-noise case can be achieved by using Gaussian-like functions belonging to a large family -the ML_r classes (0 < r ≤∞). We show how Schoenberg’s theorem for positive definite functions on a Hilbert space allows to go beyond the classical setting of Bochner-Milnos theorem. Furthermore, we show that the application of the Rohlin’s disintegration theorem allows for a decomposition of the associated probability measures , see Theorems 3.2 and 4.3. We end this paper with several important examples of functions in these classes ML_r and provide some interesting counterexamples, e.g. Theorem 7.4, to get a …

An Alternative Approach To Non-Relativistic Quantum Mechanics In Curved Space, Robert A. Hulsey

Dissertations

In the research presented in this dissertation, we propose an alternative formulation of non-relativistic quantum mechanics in curved spaces (Riemannian manifolds). Some toy quantum models (2D quantum harmonic oscillator in Poincaré half-plane model and the flat chart model of hyperbolic 2-space) are studied to understand the physical implications of this alternative formulation.

Basic Theory And Implementations Of Quantum Error Correction, Derek Rodriguez

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

The introduction of quantum computing has presented algorithmic solutions to computationally difficult challenges that are far more efficient than those of classical computers. These algorithms leverage the properties of quantum mechanics to manipulate the quantum properties of subatomic particles, requiring immense precision and stability. Current quantum hardware, however, is too noisy and introduces too many errors for these algorithms to be useful in practice, necessitating the use of error correction algorithms. This field survey seeks to introduce various principles of quantum mechanics relevant to quantum computing and quantum error correction (QEC), detail the implementation and motivations of a basic QEC …

Geometric Algebra For Field Theory In Curved Spacetime, Kevin Rhine

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Physics seeks to understand the universe by uncovering the fundamental laws that govern matter, energy, space, and time. At its heart lies the challenge of unification: finding a mathematical framework that consistently describes these interactions across all scales, from the subatomic to the cosmological.

This thesis explores geometric algebra, a mathematical language that unifies algebra and geometry, as a tool for advancing this understanding. By extending this framework to curved spacetimes, where gravity influences the structure of space and time, we investigate its ability to describe physical phenomena such as electromagnetism and general relativity. A notable contribution includes the geometric …

Mathematics And Determinism: Chaos, Quantum Mechanics, And The Limits Of Predictive Structure, Jackson T. Salumbides

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines the relationship between mathematics and determinism by analyzing how chaos theory, quantum mechanics, and formal mathematical limits challenge traditional conceptions of predictability and causal structure. Chaos theory shows that deterministic systems can exhibit practical unpredictability due to sensitivity to initial conditions. Quantum mechanics introduces probabilistic outcomes that complicate deterministic interpretation, though alternative frameworks such as Bohmian mechanics and superdeterminism attempt to restore determinism at conceptual cost. Additionally, results from mathematical logic, including Gödel’s incompleteness theorems and Turing’s undecidability, demonstrate intrinsic limitations on what can be deduced or computed, even in fully deterministic systems. By synthesizing these areas, …

Pt-Symmetry And Eigenmodes, Tamara Gratcheva

University Honors Theses

Spectra of systems with balanced gain and loss, described by Hamiltonians with parity and time-reversal (PT) symmetry is a rich area of research. This work studies by means of numerical techniques, how eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of a Schrodinger operator change as a gain-loss parameter changes. Two cases on a disk with zero boundary conditions are considered. In the first case, within the enclosing disk, we place a parity (P) symmetric configuration of three smaller disks containing gain and loss media, which does not have PT-symmetry. In the second case, we study a PT-symmetric configuration …

Representation Theory And Its Applications In Physics, Max Varverakis

Master's Theses

Representation theory, which encodes the elements of a group as linear operators on a vector space, has far-reaching implications in physics. Fundamental results in quantum physics emerge directly from the representations describing physical symmetries. We first examine the connections between specific representations and the principles of quantum mechanics. Then, we shift our focus to the braid group, which describes the algebraic structure of braids. We apply representations of the braid group to physical systems in order to investigate quasiparticles known as anyons. Finally, we obtain governing equations of anyonic systems to highlight the differences between braiding statistics and conventional Bose-Einstein/Fermi-Dirac …

Spacetime Geometry Of Acoustics And Electromagnetism, Lucas Burns, Tatsuya Daniel, Stephon Alexander, Justin Dressel

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Both acoustics and electromagnetism represent measurable fields in terms of dynamical potential fields. Electromagnetic force-fields form a spacetime bivector that is represented by a dynamical energy–momentum 4-vector potential field. Acoustic pressure and velocity fields form an energy–momentum density 4-vector field that is represented by a dynamical action scalar potential field. Surprisingly, standard field theory analyses of spin angular momentum based on these traditional potential representations contradict recent experiments, which motivates a careful reassessment of both theories. We analyze extensions of both theories that use the full geometric structure of spacetime to respect essential symmetries enforced by vacuum wave propagation. The …

Snow Spheres And Ice Cubes: Solutions For Fermi Questions, February 2024, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Snow Spheres And Ice Cubes, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

This article, titled "Snow spheres and ice cubes," discusses the melting of snowballs and ice cubes. It explains that in standard calculus textbooks, it is shown that a snowball melting at a rate proportional to its surface area will have its radius decrease at a constant rate, assuming it remains spherical as it melts. The article then poses several questions related to this concept, including the proportion of a smaller snow sphere that remains when half of a larger one has melted, the value of p for which the smaller sphere first melts, and the volume reduction factor for cubes …

Cats, Dogs, And Roll Waves: Solutions For Fermi Questions, April 2024, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

On a hot afternoon in western North Carolina, the heavens opened and (to mix metaphors) it started raining “cats and dogs.” The rain was torrential, and soon a river of water was flowing downhill into the parking lot. In rivers and dam spillways, these are known as flood waves. The picture shows a particular type of flood waves known s roll waves—shock-like patterns separated by smooth profiles. In a steady-state situation, the drag forces on the water in the channel are balanced by the down-slope gravitational force. The dimensionless friction coefficient is C, the stream depth is h, v is …

Sky Smiley Face, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The article discusses the formation of a circumzenithal arc (CZA) in the sky, caused by specific light ray paths through hexagonal ice crystals in cirrus clouds. The CZA is visible when the Sun's altitude is about 32° or less. The text includes questions for readers to explore the physics behind the formation of CZAs and circumhorizontal arcs (CHAs). The author acknowledges photographers for providing images and invites readers to find answers online.

Sky Smiley Face: Solutions For Fermi Questions, November 2024, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Question 2(a): By rotating Fig. 2 counterclockwise by 90°, explain why circumhorizontal arcs (CHAs) [Figs. 1(b) and (c)] form (under favorable conditions) only when the solar altitude exceeds 58° of arc. (In this case, the incoming ray enters a vertical face of an ice crystal and exits via the lower horizontal face.)Question 2(b): By considering the tilt of Earth’s imaginary N–S axis toward the plane of its orbit around the Sun (∼23.5°), explain why in the northern hemisphere CHAs cannot be seen above about latitude 56° N.

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Measuring The Lengths Of Sperm Whales Of The Northern Gulf Of Mexico By Wavelet Analysis Of Their Usual Clicks, George Drouant

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Acoustic recordings of underwater sounds produced by marine mammals present an attractive alternative to costly and logistically complex ship based visual surveys for collecting population data for various species.

The first reported use of underwater acoustic recordings in the long-term monitoring of sperm whale populations was by Ackleh et al. (Ackleh et al., 2012). The paper describes counting sperm whale clicks at different locations to track population changes over time.

Analysis of sperm whale clicks offers additional insight into sperm whale populations. The echo location clicks (usual clicks) of sperm whales can be used to give an estimate of …

Superoscillations And Fock Spaces, Daniel Alpay, Fabrizio Colombo, Kamal Diki, Irene Sabadini, Daniele C. Struppa

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

In this paper we use techniques in Fock spaces theory and compute how the Segal-Bargmann transform acts on special wave functions obtained by multiplying superoscillating sequences with normalized Hermite functions. It turns out that these special wave functions can be constructed also by computing the approximating sequence of the normalized Hermite functions. First, we start by treating the case when a superoscillating sequence is multiplied by the Gaussian function. Then, we extend these calculations to the case of normalized Hermite functions leading to interesting relations with Weyl operators. In particular, we show that the Segal-Bargmann transform maps superoscillating sequences onto …

Not Your Typical Tower Of Sauron, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

The picture is of the tapering Chester Shot Tower, located in Chester, England. It was built in 1799 for the manufacture of lead shot for use in the Napoleonic Wars. Molten lead was poured through a sieve at the top of the tower, with the tiny droplets forming perfect spheres during the fall; these were then cooled in a vat of water at the base. This process was less labor intensive than an earlier method using molds. It is the oldest of the three remaining shot towers in the UK.

Question 1: Using the parked van at the base, estimate …

Oscillating Icebergs, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

On Superoscillations And Supershifts In Several Variables, Yakir Aharonov, Fabrizio Colombo, Andrew N. Jordan, Irene Sabadini, Tomer Shushi, Daniele C. Struppa, Jeff Tollaksen

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The aim of this paper is to study a class of superoscillatory functions in several variables, removing some restrictions on the functions that we introduced in a previous paper. Since the tools that we used with our approach are not common knowledge we will give detailed proof for the case of two variables. The results proved for superoscillatory functions in several variables can be further extended to supershifts in several variables.

Implementation Of A Least Squares Method To A Navier-Stokes Solver, Jada P. Lytch, Taylor Boatwright, Ja'nya Breeden

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

The Navier-Stokes equations are used to model fluid flow. Examples include fluid structure interactions in the heart, climate and weather modeling, and flow simulations in computer gaming and entertainment. The equations date back to the 1800s, but research and development of numerical approximation algorithms continues to be an active area. To numerically solve the Navier-Stokes equations we implement a least squares finite element algorithm based on work by Roland Glowinski and colleagues. We use the deal.II academic library , the C++ language, and the Linux operating system to implement the solver. We investigate convergence rates and apply the least squares …

Rock Paintings: Solutions For Fermi Questions, September 2022, John Adam

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Estimating Turbulence Distribution Over A Heterogeneous Path Using Time‐Lapse Imagery From Dual Cameras, Benjamin Wilson, Santasri Bose-Pillai, Jack E. Mccrae, Kevin J. Keefer, Steven T. Fiorino

Faculty Publications

Knowledge of turbulence distribution along an experimental path can help in effective turbulence compensation and mitigation. Although scintillometers are traditionally used to measure the strength of turbulence, they provide a path-integrated measurement and have limited operational ranges. A technique to profile turbulence using time-lapse imagery of a distant target from spatially separated cameras is presented here. The method uses the turbulence induced differential motion between pairs of point features on a target, sensed at a single camera and between cameras to extract turbulence distribution along the path. The method is successfully demonstrated on a 511 m almost horizontal path going …

A New Method To Generate Superoscillating Functions And Supershifts, Yakir Aharonov, Fabrizio Colombo, Irene Sabadini, Tomer Shushi, Daniele C. Struppa, Jeff Tollaksen

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Superoscillations are band-limited functions that can oscillate faster than their fastest Fourier component. These functions (or sequences) appear in weak values in quantum mechanics and in many fields of science and technology such as optics, signal processing and antenna theory. In this paper, we introduce a new method to generate superoscillatory functions that allows us to construct explicitly a very large class of superoscillatory functions.

Zeta Function Regularization And Its Relationship To Number Theory, Stephen Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the "path integral" formulation of quantum mechanics is both highly intuitive and far reaching, the path integrals themselves often fail to converge in the usual sense. Richard Feynman developed regularization as a solution, such that regularized path integrals could be calculated and analyzed within a strictly physics context. Over the past 50 years, mathematicians and physicists have retroactively introduced schemes for achieving mathematical rigor in the study and application of regularized path integrals. One such scheme was introduced in 2007 by the mathematicians Klaus Kirsten and Paul Loya. In this thesis, we reproduce the Kirsten and Loya approach to …

Once Upon A Party - An Anecdotal Investigation, Vijay Fafat

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Mathematicians and Physicists attending let-your-hair-down parties behave exactly like their own theories. They live by their theorems, they jive by their theorems. Life imitates their craft, and we must simply observe the deep truths hiding in their party-going behavior...

Exponential Random Graphs And A Generalization Of Parking Functions, Ryan Demuse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Random graphs are a powerful tool in the analysis of modern networks. Exponential random graph models provide a framework that allows one to encode desirable subgraph features directly into the probability measure. Using the theory of graph limits pioneered by Borgs et. al. as a foundation, we build upon the work of Chatterjee & Diaconis and Radin & Yin. We add complexity to the previously studied models by considering exponential random graph models with edge-weights coming from a generic distribution satisfying mild assumptions. In particular, we show that a large family of two-parameter, edge-weighted exponential random graphs display a phase …

At The Interface Of Algebra And Statistics, Tai-Danae Bradley

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis takes inspiration from quantum physics to investigate mathematical structure that lies at the interface of algebra and statistics. The starting point is a passage from classical probability theory to quantum probability theory. The quantum version of a probability distribution is a density operator, the quantum version of marginalizing is an operation called the partial trace, and the quantum version of a marginal probability distribution is a reduced density operator. Every joint probability distribution on a finite set can be modeled as a rank one density operator. By applying the partial trace, we obtain reduced density operators whose diagonals …

Acoustic Versus Electromagnetic Field Theory: Scalar, Vector, Spinor Representations And The Emergence Of Acoustic Spin, Lucas Burns, Konstantin Y. Bliokh, Franco Nori, Justin Dressel

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

We construct a novel Lagrangian representation of acoustic field theory that describes the local vector properties of longitudinal (curl-free) acoustic fields. In particular, this approach accounts for the recently-discovered nonzero spin angular momentum density in inhomogeneous sound fields in fluids or gases. The traditional acoustic Lagrangian representation with a scalar potential is unable to describe such vector properties of acoustic fields adequately, which are however observable via local radiation forces and torques on small probe particles. By introducing a displacement vector potential analogous to the electromagnetic vector potential, we derive the appropriate canonical momentum and spin densities as conserved Noether …

A Note On The Fine Structure Constant, Bilal Khan, Irshadullah Khan

School of Computing: Technical Reports

We derive the numerical value of the fine structure constant in purely number-theoretic terms, under the assumption that in a system of charges between two parallel conducting plates, the Casimir energy and the mutual Coulomb interaction energy agree.