arXiv subjects

P. Di Porto

Publications and source records attributed to P. Di Porto.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2010

Bertrand's paradox: a physical solution

We present a conclusive answer to Bertrand's paradox, a long standing open issue in the basic physical interpretation of probability. The paradox deals with the existence of mutually inconsistent results when looking for the probability that a chord, drawn at random in a circle, is longer than the side of an inscribed equilateral triangle. We obtain a unique solution by substituting chord drawing with the throwing of a straw of finite length L on a circle of radius R, thus providing a satisfactory operative definition of the associated experiment. The obtained probability turns out to be a function of the ratio L/R, as intuitively expected.

physics.data-an↗

arXiv2004

Feeding upon negative entropy in a thermal-equilibrium environment

The validity of the Second Law of thermodynamics, indisputable in the macroscopic world, is challenged at the mesoscopic level: a mesoscopic isolated system, possessing spatial dimensions of the order of a few microns, is capable, as shown by a straightforward kinetic analysis, to exhibit a perpetuum mobile behavior associated with large negative variations of the Clausius entropy of the system. This violation of the Second Law is expedient for devising a cyclic process through which an isolated system can extract energy from a surrounding thermal bath.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2002

The Adiabatic Piston and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

A detailed analysis of the adiabatic-piston problem reveals peculiar dynamical features that challenge the general belief that isolated systems necessarily reach a static equilibrium state. In particular, the fact that the piston behaves like a perpetuum mobile, i.e., it never stops but keeps wandering, undergoing sizable oscillations, around the position corresponding to maximum entropy, has remarkable implications on the entropy variations of the system and on the validity of the second law when dealing with systems of mesoscopic dimensions.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv1999

A scheme for total quantum teleportation

We address the issue of totally teleporting the quantum state of an external particle, as opposed to studies on partial teleportation of external single-particle states, total teleportation of coherent states and encoded single-particle states, and intramolecular teleportation of nuclear spin states. We find a set of commuting observables whose measurement directly projects onto the Bell-basis and discuss a possible experiment, based on two-photon absorption, allowing, for the first time, total teleportation of the state of a single external photon through a direct projective measurement.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1999

Entropy Decrease in Isolated Systems with an Internal Wall undergoing Brownian Motion

We consider an isolated gaseous system, divided in two parts by an adiabatic movable frictionless internal wall undergoing Brownian motion. We show how this kind of motion can lead to a substantial decrease of the system entropy. This surprising result does not violate Boltzmann's H-theorem since the molecular chaos assumption underlying H-theorem is not fulfilled by our system.

physics.class-ph↗