arXiv subjects

Peter Mason

Publications and source records attributed to Peter Mason.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Prosocial Ranking Challenge: Reducing Polarization on Social Media without Sacrificing Engagement

We report the first direct comparisons of multiple alternative social media algorithms on multiple platforms on outcomes of societal interest. We used a browser extension to modify which posts were shown to desktop social media users, randomly assigning 9,386 users to a control group or one of five alternative ranking algorithms which simultaneously altered content across three platforms for six months during the US 2024 presidential election. This reduced our preregistered index of affective polarization by an average of 0.03 standard deviations (p < 0.05), including a 1.5 degree decrease in differences between the 100 point inparty and outparty feeling thermometers. We saw reductions in active use time for Facebook (-0.37 min/day) and Reddit (-0.2 min/day), but an increase of 0.32 min/day (p < 0.01) for X/Twitter. We saw an increase in reports of negative social media experiences but found no effects on well-being, news knowledge, outgroup empathy, perceptions of and support for partisan violence. This implies that bridging content can improve some societal outcomes without necessarily conflicting with the engagement-driven business model of social media.

cs.SI↗

arXiv2018

Pechukas-Yukawa formalism for Landau-Zener transitions in the presence of external noise

Quantum systems are prone to decoherence due to both intrinsic interactions as well as random fluctuations from the environment. Using the Pechukas-Yukawa formalism, we investigate the influence of noise on the dynamics of an adiabatically evolving Hamiltonian which can describe a quantum computer. Under this description, the level dynamics of a parametrically perturbed quantum Hamiltonian are mapped to the dynamics of 1D classical gas. We show that our framework coincides with the results of the classical Landau-Zener transitions upon linearisation. Furthermore, we determine the effects of external noise on the level dynamics and its impact on Landau-Zener transitions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2017

Time-dependent Real-space Renormalization-Group Approach: application to an adiabatic random quantum Ising model

We develop a time-dependent real-space renormalization-group approach which can be applied to Hamiltonians with time-dependent random terms. To illustrate the renormalization-group analysis, we focus on the quantum Ising Hamiltonian with random site- and time-dependent (adiabatic) transverse-field and nearest-neighbour exchange couplings. We demonstrate how the method works in detail, by calculating the off-critical flows and recovering the ground state properties of the Hamiltonian such as magnetization and correlation functions. The adiabatic time allows us to traverse the parameter space, remaining near-to the ground state which is broadened if the rate of change of the Hamiltonian is finite. The quantum critical point, or points, depend on time through the time-dependence of the parameters of the Hamiltonian. We, furthermore, make connections with Kibble-Zurek dynamics and provide a scaling argument for the density of defects as we adiabatically pass through the critical point of the system.

cond-mat.dis-nn↗

arXiv2017

Pechukas-Yukawa approach to the evolution of the quantum state of a parametrically perturbed system

We consider the evolution of a quantum state of a Hamiltonian which is parametrically perturbed via a term proportional to the adiabatic parameter \lambda (t). Starting with the Pechukas-Yukawa mapping of the energy eigenvalues evolution on a generalised Calogero-Sutherland model of 1D classical gas, we consider the adiabatic approximation with two different expansions of the quantum state in powers of d\lambda/dt and compare them with a direct numerical simulation. We show that one of these expansions (Magnus series) is especially convenient for the description of non-adiabatic evolution of the system. Applying the expansion to the exact cover 3-satisfability problem, we obtain the occupation dynamics which provides insight on the population of states.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2015

A cryogenic rotation stage with a large clear aperture for the half-wave plates in the Spider instrument

We describe the cryogenic half-wave plate rotation mechanisms built for and used in Spider, a polarization-sensitive balloon-borne telescope array that observed the Cosmic Microwave Background at 95 GHz and 150 GHz during a stratospheric balloon flight from Antarctica in January 2015. The mechanisms operate at liquid helium temperature in flight. A three-point contact design keeps the mechanical bearings relatively small but allows for a large (305 mm) diameter clear aperture. A worm gear driven by a cryogenic stepper motor allows for precise positioning and prevents undesired rotation when the motors are depowered. A custom-built optical encoder system monitors the bearing angle to an absolute accuracy of +/- 0.1 degrees. The system performed well in Spider during its successful 16 day flight.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2014

Number-conserving approaches to $n$-component Bose-Einstein condensates

We develop the number-conserving approach that has previously been used in a single component Bose-Einstein condensed dilute atomic gas, to describe consistent coupled condensate and noncondensate number dynamics, to an $n$-component condensate. The resulting system of equations comprises, for each component, of a generalised Gross-Pitaevskii equation coupled to modified Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. Lower-order approximations yield general formulations for multi-component Gross-Pitaevskii equations, and systems of multi-component Gross-Pitaevskii equations coupled to multi-component modified number-conserving Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations. The analysis is left general, such that, in the $n$-component condensate, there may or may not be mutually coherent components. An expansion in powers of the ratio of noncondensate to condensate particle numbers for each coherent set is used to derive the self-consistent, second-order, dynamical equations of motion. The advantage of the analysis developed in this article is in its applications to dynamical instabilities that appear when two (or more) components are in conflict and where a significant noncondensed fraction of atoms is expected to appear.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2013

Phase diagrams and Thomas-Fermi estimates for spin-orbit coupled Bose-Einstein Condensates under rotation

We provide complete phase diagrams describing the ground state of a trapped spinor BEC under the combined effects of rotation and a Rashba spin-orbit coupling. The interplay between the different parameters (magnitude of rotation, strength of the spin-orbit coupling and interaction) leads to a rich ground state physics that we classify. We explain some features analytically in the Thomas-Fermi approximation, writing the problem in terms of the total density, total phase and spin. In particular, we analyze the giant skyrmion, and find that it is of degree 1 in the strong segregation case. In some regions of the phase diagrams, we relate the patterns to a ferromagnetic energy.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2012

Vortex-peak interaction and lattice shape in rotating two-component Bose-Einstein condensates

When a two-component Bose-Einstein condensate is placed into rotation, a lattice of vortices and cores appear. The geometry of this lattice (triangular or square) varies according to the rotational value and the intercomponent coupling strengths. In this paper, assuming a Thomas-Fermi regime, we derive a point energy which allows us to determine for which values of the parameters, the lattice goes from triangular to square. It turns out that the separating curve in the phase diagram agrees fully with the complete numerical simulations of the Gross-Pitaevskii equations. We also derive a formula for the critical velocity of appearance of the first vortex and prove that the first vortex always appears first in the component with largest support in the case of two disks, and give a criterion in the case of disk and annulus.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2011

A classification of the ground states and topological defects in a rotating two-component Bose-Einstein condensate

We classify the ground states and topological defects of a rotating two-component condensate when varying several parameters: the intracomponent coupling strengths, the intercomponent coupling strength and the particle numbers.No restriction is placed on the masses or trapping frequencies of the individual components. We present numerical phase diagrams which show the boundaries between the regions of coexistence, spatial separation and symmetry breaking. Defects such as triangular coreless vortex lattices, square coreless vortex lattices and giant skyrmions are classified. Various aspects of the phase diagrams are analytically justified thanks to a non-linear $σ$ model that describes the condensate in terms of the total density and a pseudo-spin representation.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2011

Distributed Cooperative Spectrum Sensing in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks with Cognitive Radios

In cognitive radio mobile ad hoc networks (CR-MANETs), secondary users can cooperatively sense the spectrum to detect the presence of primary users. In this chapter, we propose a fully distributed and scalable cooperative spectrum sensing scheme based on recent advances in consensus algorithms. In the proposed scheme, the secondary users can maintain coordination based on only local information exchange without a centralized common receiver. We use the consensus of secondary users to make the final decision. The proposed scheme is essentially based on recent advances in consensus algorithms that have taken inspiration from complex natural phenomena including flocking of birds, schooling of fish, swarming of ants and honeybees. Unlike the existing cooperative spectrum sensing schemes, there is no need for a centralized receiver in the proposed schemes, which make them suitable in distributed CR-MANETs. Simulation results show that the proposed consensus schemes can have significant lower missing detection probabilities and false alarm probabilities in CR-MANETs. It is also demonstrated that the proposed scheme not only has proven sensitivity in detecting the primary user's presence, but also has robustness in choosing a desirable decision threshold.

cs.IT↗

arXiv2011

Measuring Light from the Epoch of Reionization with CIBER, the Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment

Ultraviolet emission from the first generation of stars in the Universe ionized the intergalactic medium in a process which was completed by z~6; the wavelength of these photons has been redshifted by (1+z) into the near infrared today and can be measured using instruments situated above the Earth's atmosphere. First flying in February 2009, the Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment (CIBER) comprises four instruments housed in a single reusable sounding rocket borne payload. CIBER will measure spatial anisotropies in the extragalactic IR background caused by cosmological structure from the epoch of reionization using two broadband imaging instruments, make a detailed characterization of the spectral shape of the IR background using a low resolution spectrometer, and measure the absolute brightness of the Zodical light foreground with a high resolution spectrometer in each of our six science fields. This paper presents the scientific motivation for CIBER and details of its first two flights, including a review of the published scientific results from the first flight and an outlook for future reionization science with CIBER data.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Modeling and characterization of the SPIDER half-wave plate

Spider is a balloon-borne array of six telescopes that will observe the Cosmic Microwave Background. The 2624 antenna-coupled bolometers in the instrument will make a polarization map of the CMB with approximately one-half degree resolution at 145 GHz. Polarization modulation is achieved via a cryogenic sapphire half-wave plate (HWP) skyward of the primary optic. We have measured millimeter-wave transmission spectra of the sapphire at room and cryogenic temperatures. The spectra are consistent with our physical optics model, and the data gives excellent measurements of the indices of A-cut sapphire. We have also taken preliminary spectra of the integrated HWP, optical system, and detectors in the prototype Spider receiver. We calculate the variation in response of the HWP between observing the CMB and foreground spectra, and estimate that it should not limit the Spider constraints on inflation.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Rotation of a Bose-Einstein Condensate held under a toroidal trap

The aim of this paper is to perform a numerical and analytical study of a rotating Bose Einstein condensate placed in a harmonic plus Gaussian trap, following the experiments of \cite{bssd}. The rotational frequency $Ω$ has to stay below the trapping frequency of the harmonic potential and we find that the condensate has an annular shape containing a triangular vortex lattice. As $Ω$ approaches $ω$, the width of the condensate and the circulation inside the central hole get large. We are able to provide analytical estimates of the size of the condensate and the circulation both in the lowest Landau level limit and the Thomas-Fermi limit, providing an analysis that is consistent with experiment.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2008

The dynamics of quantum vortices in a toroidal trap

The dynamics of quantum vortices in a two-dimensional annular condensate are considered by numerically simulating the Gross-Pitaevskii equation. Families of solitary wave sequences are reported, both without and with a persistent flow, for various values of interaction strength. It is shown that in the toroidal geometry the dispersion curve of solutions is much richer than in the cases of a semi-infinite channel or uniform condensate studied previously. In particular, the toroidal condensate is found to have states of single vortices at the same position and circulation that move with different velocities. The stability of the solitary wave sequences for the annular condensate without a persistent flow are also investigated by numerically evolving the solutions in time. In addition, the interaction of vortex-vortex pairs and vortex-antivortex pairs is considered and it is demonstrated that the collisions are either elastic or inelastic depending on the magnitude of the angular velocity. The similarities and differences between numerically simulating the Gross-Pitaevskii equation and using a point vortex model for these collisions are elucidated.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2006

Motion of a vortex line near the boundary of a semi-infinite uniform condensate

We consider the motion of a vortex in an asymptotically homogeneous condensate bounded by a solid wall where the wave function of the condensate vanishes. For a vortex parallel to the wall, the motion is essentially equivalent to that generated by an image vortex, but the depleted surface layer induces an effective shift in the position of the image compared to the case of a vortex pair in an otherwise uniform flow. Specifically, the velocity of the vortex can be approximated by $U \approx (\hbar/2m)(y_0-\sqrt 2 ξ)^{-1}$, where $y_0$ is the distance from the center of the vortex to the wall, $ξ$ is the healing length of the condensate and $m$ is the mass of the boson.

cond-mat.soft↗