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- All Subjects: Dynamical Systems
- Creators: Platte, Rodrigo
- Resource Type: Text
- Status: Published
representation theory of the Lorentz and Poincare groups, and a review of some basic rela- ´
tivistic wave equations that will play an important role in the work to follow. In Chapter 2,
a complex covariant form of the classical Maxwell’s equations in a moving medium or at
rest is introduced. In addition, a compact, Lorentz invariant, form of the energy-momentum
tensor is derived. In chapter 3, the concept of photon helicity is critically analyzed and its
connection with the Pauli-Lubanski vector from the viewpoint of the complex electromag- ´
netic field, E+ iH. To this end, a complex covariant form of Maxwell’s equations is used.
Chapter 4 analyzes basic relativistic wave equations for the classical fields, such as Dirac’s
equation, Weyl’s two-component equation for massless neutrinos and the Proca, Maxwell
and Fierz-Pauli equations, from the viewpoint of the Pauli-Lubanski vector and the Casimir ´
operators of the Poincare group. A connection between the spin of a particle/field and ´
consistency of the corresponding overdetermined system is emphasized in the massless
case. Chapter 5 focuses on the so-called generalized quantum harmonic oscillator, which
is a Schrodinger equation with a time-varying quadratic Hamiltonian operator. The time ¨
evolution of exact wave functions of the generalized harmonic oscillators is determined
in terms of the solutions of certain Ermakov and Riccati-type systems. In addition, it is
shown that the classical Arnold transform is naturally connected with Ehrenfest’s theorem
for generalized harmonic oscillators. In Chapter 6, as an example of the usefulness of the
methods introduced in Chapter 5 a model for the quantization of an electromagnetic field
in a variable media is analyzed. The concept of quantization of an electromagnetic field
in factorizable media is discussed via the Caldirola-Kanai Hamiltonian. A single mode
of radiation for this model is used to find time-dependent photon amplitudes in relation
to Fock states. A multi-parameter family of the squeezed states, photon statistics, and the
uncertainty relation, are explicitly given in terms of the Ermakov-type system.
split cylinder is studied numerically solving the Navier--Stokes
equations. The cylinder is completely filled with fluid
and is split at the midplane. Three different types of boundary
conditions were imposed, leading to a variety of instabilities and
complex flow dynamics.
The first configuration has a strong background rotation and a small
differential rotation between the two halves. The axisymmetric flow
was first studied identifying boundary layer instabilities which
produce inertial waves under some conditions. Limit cycle states and
quasiperiodic states were found, including some period doubling
bifurcations. Then, a three-dimensional study was conducted
identifying low and high azimuthal wavenumber rotating waves due to
G’ortler and Tollmien–-Schlichting type instabilities. Over most of
the parameter space considered, quasiperiodic states were found where
both types of instabilities were present.
In the second configuration, both cylinder halves are in exact
counter-rotation, producing an O(2) symmetry in the system. The basic state flow dynamic
is dominated by the shear layer created
in the midplane. By changing the speed rotation and the aspect ratio
of the cylinder, the flow loses symmetries in a variety of ways
creating static waves, rotating waves, direction reversing waves and
slow-fast pulsing waves. The bifurcations, including infinite-period
bifurcations, were characterized and the flow dynamics was elucidated.
Additionally, preliminary experimental results for this case are
presented.
In the third set up, with oscillatory boundary conditions, inertial
wave beams were forced imposing a range of frequencies. These beams
emanate from the corner of the cylinder and from the split at the
midplane, leading to destructive/constructive interactions which
produce peaks in vorticity for some specific frequencies. These
frequencies are shown to be associated with the resonant Kelvin
modes. Furthermore, a study of the influence of imposing a phase
difference between the oscillations of the two halves of the cylinder
led to the interesting result that different Kelvin
modes can be excited depending on the phase difference.
This thesis attempts to explain Everettian quantum mechanics from the ground up, such that those with little to no experience in quantum physics can understand it. First, we introduce the history of quantum theory, and some concepts that make up the framework of quantum physics. Through these concepts, we reveal why interpretations are necessary to map the quantum world onto our classical world. We then introduce the Copenhagen interpretation, and how many-worlds differs from it. From there, we dive into the concepts of entanglement and decoherence, explaining how worlds branch in an Everettian universe, and how an Everettian universe can appear as our classical observed world. From there, we attempt to answer common questions about many-worlds and discuss whether there are philosophical ramifications to believing such a theory. Finally, we look at whether the many-worlds interpretation can be proven, and why one might choose to believe it.