arXiv subjects

E. Sergio Santini

Publications and source records attributed to E. Sergio Santini.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

On methods for radiometric surveying in radiotherapy bunkers

Radiometric surveys in radiotherapy bunkers have been carried out in Brazil for many years, both by the same radiotherapy facility for verification of shielding as by the regulatory agency for licensing and control purposes. In recent years, the Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) technique has been gradually incorporated into many facilities. Therefore, it has been necessary to consider the increased leakage component that has an important impact on the secondary walls. For that, a radiometric survey method has been used that considers an increased "time of beam - on" for the secondary walls. In this work we discuss two methods of doing this: the first considers that this "time of beam - on" affects the sum of the two components, leakage and scattered. In another method it is considered that only the leakage component is affected by this extended "time of beam - on ". We compare the methods and show that for secondary walls with $U=1$ the first method overestimates dose rates by important percentages and for secondary walls with $U<1$ it can both overestimate or underestimate the dose rates, depending on the parameters of the project. An optimized procedure is proposed, according to the use factor ($U$) of the secondary wall to be measured.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2022

On a new prediction of Causal Quantum Mechanics for the two-slit interference experiment with electrons

The causal quantum mechanics (i.e. Bohmian or de Broglie-Bohm or Bohm-de Broglie quantum mechanics) has made possible to calculate the trajectories of electrons in a typical double-slit experiment [C. Philippidis et al., Il Nuovo Cimento, 52 B, 15-28 (1979)]. The trajectories do not correspond to an uniform movement but to an accelerated one. The acceleration is caused by the quantum potential. From the quantum theoretical point of view, there is a probability for the electron to emit photons, with a certain emission power, during its movement from the slits to the screen. We find a quantum general formula for the emission power of photons, valid independently of the interpretation. Then, according to the Copenhagen interpretation, this formula gives a strictly zero value for the emission power because the electron moves as a free particle after it leaves the slit and before reach the screen. Then, there is no emission of photons. In the case of the causal interpretation, the emission power results, for a concrete real experiment, in a very tiny but not a zero value, driven by the square of the quantum potential gradient. We give an idea of the type of spectrum that could be measured. A brief idea of a possible experimental arrangement in order to detect this effect, is given.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Is there a super-selection rule in quantum cosmology?

A certain approach to solving the Wheeler-DeWitt equation in quantum cosmology, which is based on a type of super-selection rule by which negative frequency solutions are discarded, is discussed. In a preliminary analysis, we recall well known results in relativistic quantum field theory, showing that adopt this approach of super-selection by discarding a sector of the frequencies, does not lead to acceptable results. In the area of quantum cosmology a qualitatively similar result is obtained: we show that by discarding solutions of negative frequencies, which is usually done in order to demonstrate "strong" results on the resolution of the singularity, important physical processes are lost, namely the existence of cyclic solutions which, under certain reasonable assumptions, can be interpreted as processes of creation-annihilation at the Planck scale, which are typical of any relativistic quantum field theory.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2013

Complementarity relation for irreversible processes near steady states

A relation giving a minimum for the irreversible work in quasi-equilibrium processes was derived by Sekimoto et al. (K. Sekimoto and S. Sasa, J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. {\bf 66} (1997), 3326) in the framework of stochastic energetics. This relation can also be written as a type of "uncertainty principle" in such a way that the precise determination of the Helmholtz free energy through the observation of the work $ $ requires an indefinitely large experimental time $Δt$. In the present article, we extend this relation to the case of quasi-steady processes by using the concept of non-equilibrium Helmholtz free energy. We give a formulation of the second law for these processes that extends that presented by Sekimoto (K. Sekimoto, Prog. Theo. Phys. Suppl. No. {\bf 130} (1998), 17) by a term of the first order in the inverse of the experimental time. As application of our results, two possible experimental situations are considered: stretching of a RNA molecule and the drag of a dipolar particle in the presence of a gradient of electric force.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2012

The Wheeler-DeWitt Quantization Can Solve the Singularity Problem

We study the Wheeler-DeWitt quantum cosmology of a spatially flat Friedmann cosmological model with a massless free scalar field. We compare the consistent histories approach with the de Broglie-Bohm theory when applied to this simple model under two different quantization schemes: the Schrödinger-like quantization, which essentially takes the square-root of the resulting Klein-Gordon equation through the restriction to positive frequencies and their associated Newton-Wigner states, or the induced Klein-Gordon quantization, that allows both positive and negative frequencies together. We show that the consistent histories approach can give a precise answer to the question concerning the existence of a quantum bounce if and only if one takes the single frequency approach and within a single family of histories, namely, a family containing histories concerning properties of the quantum system at only two specific moments of time: the infinity past and the infinity future. In that case, as shown by Craig and Singh \cite{CS}, there is no quantum bounce. In any other situation, the question concerning the existence of a quantum bounce has no meaning in the consistent histories approach. On the contrary, we show that if one considers the de Broglie-Bohm theory, there are always states where quantum bounces occur in both quantization schemes. Hence the assertion that the Wheeler-DeWitt quantization does not solve the singularity problem in cosmology is not precise. To address this question, one must specify not only the quantum interpretation adopted but also the quantization scheme chosen.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

An Inflationary Non-singular Quantum Cosmological Model

A stiff matter-dominated universe modeled by a free massless scalar field minimally coupled to gravity in a Friedmann-Lema\^ıtre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) geometry is quantized. Generalized complex-width gaussian superpositions of the solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation are constructed and the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation of quantum cosmology is applied. A planar dynamical system is found in which a diversity of quantum bohmian trajectories are obtained and discussed. One class of solutions represents non-singular inflationary models starting at infinity past from flat space-time with Planckian size spacelike hypersurfaces, which inflates without inflaton but due to a quantum cosmological effect, until it makes an analytical graceful exit from this inflationary epoch to a decelerated classical stiff matter expansion phase.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Might EPR particles communicate through a wormhole?

We consider the two-particle wave function of an Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen system, given by a two dimensional relativistic scalar field model. The Bohm-de Broglie interpretation is applied and the quantum potential is viewed as modifying the Minkowski geometry. In this way an effective metric, which is analogous to a black hole metric in some limited region, is obtained in one case and a particular metric with singularities appears in the other case, opening the possibility, following Holland, of interpreting the EPR correlations as being originated by an effective wormhole geometry, through which the physical signals can propagate.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

Can EPR correlations be driven by an effective wormhole?

We consider the two-particle wave function of an EPR system given by a two dimensional relativistic scalar field model. The Bohm-de Broglie interpretation is applied and the quantum potential is viewed as modifying the Minkowski geometry. In such a way singularities appear in the metric, opening the possibility, following Holland, of interpreting the EPR correlations as originated by a wormhole effective geometry, through which physical signals can propagate.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Quantization of Friedmann cosmological models with two fluids: dust plus radiation

The causal interpretation of quantum mechanics is applied to a homogeneous and isotropic quantum universe, whose matter content is composed by non interacting dust and radiation. For wave functions which are eigenstates of the total dust mass operator, we find some bouncing quantum universes which reachs the classical limit for scale factors much larger than its minimum size. However these wave functions do not have unitary evolution. For wave functions which are not eigenstates of the dust total mass operator but do have unitary evolution, we show that, for flat spatial sections, matter can be created as a quantum effect in such a way that the universe can undergo a transition from an exotic matter dominated era to a matter dominated one.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2004

Quantum cosmology and the accelerated Universe

The quantized Friedmann-Lema\^ıtre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) model minimally coupled to a free massless scalar field is studied and interpreted in the Bohm-de Broglie framework. We analyze the quantum bohmian trajectories corresponding to a certain class of gaussian packets, solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation. We show that these bohmian trajectories undergo an accelerated expansion in the middle of its evolution due to the presence of quantum cosmological effects in this period. It is shown that the luminosity-redshift relation in the quantum cosmological model can be made close to the corresponding relation coming from the classical model suplemented by a cosmological constant, for $z<1$. In this way we have the posibility of interpreting the present observations of high redshift supernovae as the consequence of a quantum cosmological effect.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2003

The accelerated expansion of the Universe as a quantum cosmological effect

We study the quantized Friedmann-Lema\^ıtre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) model minimally coupled to a free massless scalar field. In a previous paper, \cite{fab2}, solutions of this model were constructed as gaussian superpositions of negative and positive modes solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, and quantum bohmian trajectories were obtained in the framework of the Bohm-de Broglie (BdB) interpretation of quantum cosmology. In the present work, we analyze the quantum bohmian trajectories of a different class of gaussian packets. We are able to show that this new class generates bohmian trajectories which begin classical (with decelerated expansion), undergo an accelerated expansion in the middle of its evolution due to the presence of quantum cosmological effects in this period, and return to its classical decelerated expansion in the far future. We also show that the relation between luminosity distance and redshift in the quantum cosmological model can be made close to the corresponding relation coming from the classical model suplemented by a cosmological constant, for $z<1$. These results suggest the posibility of interpreting the present observations of high redshift supernovae as the manifestation of a quantum cosmological effect.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2002

The Consistency of Causal Quantum Geometrodynamics and Quantum Field Theory

We consider quantum geometrodynamics and parametrized quantum field theories in the framework of the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation. In the first case, and following the lines of our previous work [1], where a hamiltonian formalism for the bohmian trajectories was constructed, we show the consistency of the theory for any quantum potential, completing the scenarios for canonical quantum cosmology presented there. In the latter case, we prove the consistency of scalar field theory in Minkowski spacetime for any quantum potential, and we show, using this alternative hamiltonian method, a concrete example where Lorentz invariance of individual events is broken.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2000

Quantum Geometrodynamics in the Bohm-de Broglie Interpretation

In this thesis the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation of quantum mechanics is applied to canonical quantum gravity. It is shown that, irrespective of any regularization or choice of factor ordering of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, the unique relevant quantum effect which does not break spacetime is the change of its signature from lorentzian to euclidean. The other quantum effects are either trivial or break the four-geometry of spacetime. A Bohm-de Broglie picture of quantum geometrodynamics is constructed, which allows the investigation of these latter structures. For instance, it is shown that any real solution of the Wheeler-De Witt equation yields a generate four-geometry compatible with the strong gravity limit of General Relativity and the Carroll group. We prove that quantum geometrodynamics in the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation is consistent for any quantum potential. As a previous step to introduce our metodology, we study the quantum theory of fields in Minkowski spacetime in the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation and exhibit a concrete example where Lorentz invariance of individual events is broken.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1998

Must Quantum Spacetimes Be Euclidean?

The Bohm-de Broglie interpretation of quantum mechanics is applied to canonical quantum cosmology. It is shown that, irrespective of any regularization or choice of factor ordering of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation, the unique relevant quantum effect which does not break spacetime is the change of its signature from lorentzian to euclidean. The other quantum effects are either trivial or break the four-geometry of spacetime. A Bohm-de Broglie picture of a quantum geometrodynamics is constructed, which allows the investigation of these latter structures. For instance, it is shown that any real solution of the Wheeler-De Witt equation yields a generate four-geometry compatible with the strong gravity limit of General Relativity and the Carroll group. Due to the more detailed description of quantum geometrodynamics given by the Bohm-de Broglie interpretation, some new boundary conditions on solutions of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation must be imposed in order to preserve consistency of this finer view.

gr-qc↗