arXiv subjects

Y. S. Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Y. S. Kim.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2005

Symmetries of the Poincare sphere and decoherence matrices

The Stokes parameters form a Minkowskian four-vector under various optical transformations. As a consequence, the resulting two-by-two density matrix constitutes a representation of the Lorentz group. The associated Poincare sphere is a geometric representation of the Lorentz group. Since the Lorentz group preserves the determinant of the density matrix, it cannot accommodate the decoherence process through the decaying off-diagonal elements of the density matrix, which yields to an incerese in the value of the determinant. It is noted that the O(3,2) deSitter group contains two Lorentz subgroups. The change in the determinant in one Lorentz group can be compensated by the other. It is thus possible to describe the decoherence process as a symmetry transformation in the O(3,2) space. It is shown also that these two coupled Lorentz groups can serve as a concrete example of Feynman's rest of the universe.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Harmonic Oscillators as Bridges between Theories: Einstein, Dirac, and Feynman

Other than scattering problems where perturbation theory is applicable, there are basically two ways to solve problems in physics. One is to reduce the problem to harmonic oscillators, and the other is to formulate the problem in terms of two-by-two matrices. If two oscillators are coupled, the problem combines both two-by-two matrices and harmonic oscillators. This method then becomes a powerful research tool to cover many different branches of physics. Indeed, the concept and methodology in one branch of physics can be translated into another through the common mathematical formalism. Coupled oscillators provide clear illustrative examples for some of the current issues in physics, including entanglement, decoherence, and Feynman's rest of the universe. In addition, it is noted that the present form of quantum mechanics is largely a physics of harmonic oscillators. Special relativity is the physics of the Lorentz group which can be represented by the group of by two-by-two matrices commonly called $SL(2,c)$. Thus the coupled harmonic oscillators can therefore play the role of combining quantum mechanics with special relativity. Both Paul A. M. Dirac and Richard P. Feynman were fond of harmonic oscillators, while they used different approaches to physical problems. Both were also keenly interested in making quantum mechanics compatible with special relativity. It is shown that the coupled harmonic oscillators can bridge these two different approaches to physics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Standing waves in the Lorentz-covariant world

When Einstein formulated his special relativity, he developed his dynamics for point particles. Of course, many valiant efforts have been made to extend his relativity to rigid bodies, but this subject is forgotten in history. This is largely because of the emergence of quantum mechanics with wave-particle duality. Instead of Lorentz-boosting rigid bodies, we now boost waves and have to deal with Lorentz transformations of waves. We now have some understanding of plane waves or running waves in the covariant picture, but we do not yet have a clear picture of standing waves. In this report, we show that there is one set of standing waves which can be Lorentz-transformed while being consistent with all physical principle of quantum mechanics and relativity. It is possible to construct a representation of the Poincaré group using harmonic oscillator wave functions satisfying space-time boundary conditions. This set of wave functions is capable of explaining the quantum bound state for both slow and fast hadrons. In particular it can explain the quark model for hadrons at rest, and Feynman's parton model hadrons moving with a speed close to that of light.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Wigner Rotations and Iwasawa Decompositions in Polarization Optics

Wigner rotations and Iwasawa decompositions are manifestations of the internal space-time symmetries of massive and massless particles, respectively. It is shown to be possible to produce combinations of optical filters which exhibit transformations corresponding to Wigner rotations and Iwasawa decompositions. This is possible because the combined effects of rotation, phase-shift, and attenuation filters lead to transformation matrices of the six-parameter Lorentz group applicable to Jones vectors and Stokes parameters for polarized light waves. The symmetry transformations in special relativity lead to a set of experiments which can be performed in optics laboratories.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

The language of Einstein spoken by optical instruments

Einstein had to learn the mathematics of Lorentz transformations in order to complete his covariant formulation of Maxwell's equations. The mathematics of Lorentz transformations, called the Lorentz group, continues playing its important role in optical sciences. It is the basic mathematical language for coherent and squeezed states. It is noted that the six-parameter Lorentz group can be represented by two-by-two matrices. Since the beam transfer matrices in ray optics is largely based on two-by-two matrices or $ABCD$ matrices, the Lorentz group is bound to be the basic language for ray optics, including polarization optics, interferometers, lens optics, multilayer optics, and the Poincaré sphere. Because the group of Lorentz transformations and ray optics are based on the same two-by-two matrix formalism, ray optics can perform mathematical operations which correspond to transformations in special relativity. It is shown, in particular, that one-lens optics provides a mathematical basis for unifying the internal space-time symmetries of massive and massless particles in the Lorentz-covariant world.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Is it possible to construct the Proton Structure Function by Lorentz-boosting the Static Quark-model Wave Function?

The energy-momentum relations for massive and massless particles are E = p^2/2m and E = pc respectively. According to Einstein, these two different expressions come from the same formula E = \sqrt{(cp)^2 + m^2 c^4}. Quarks and partons are believed to be the same particles, but they have quite different properties. Are they two different manifestations of the same covariant entity as in the case of Einstein's energy-momentum relation? The answer to this question is YES. It is possible to construct harmonic oscillator wave functions which can be Lorentz-boosted. They describe quarks bound together inside hadrons. When they are boosted to an infinite-momentum frame, these wave functions exhibit all the peculiar properties of Feynman's parton picture. This formalism leads to a parton distribution corresponding to the valence quarks, with a good agreement with the experimentally observed distribution.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Dashen-Frautschi Fiasco and Historical Roadmap for Strings

In 1964, Dashen and Frautschi published two papers in the Physical Review claiming that they calculated the neutron-proton mass difference. It was once regarded as a history-making calculation, in view of the fact that the proton and neutron had been and still are regarded as the same particle with different electromagnetic properties. However, their calculation was shown to be based on a bound-state wave function which violates the localization condition in quantum mechanics. There is one important lesson to be learned from the mistake made by Dashen and Frautschi. They did not pay much attention to the fact that there are running waves and standing waves in quantum mechanics. The S-matrix formalism is based on running waves, while bound-state problem are based on normalizable wave functions which are standing waves. Wave functions contained in the S matrix are analytic continuations of running waves, and they do not in general satisfy the localization condition for bound states. These days, there are very serious questions raised against string theory. Is string theory a form of quantum field theory? Is it a physical theory or only a mathematical exercise. Is a new new Einstein going to emerge from string theory? It is pointed out that, if the distinction is recognized between running and standing waves, string theory has its place in the historical roadmap land-marked by Einstein, Heisenberg, Schrödinger, Dirac, Wigner, and Feynman.

physics.hist-ph↗

arXiv2004

Feynman's Branes and Feynman's Oscillators

Based on Feynman's lifetime efforts on quantum mechanics and relativity, it is concluded that the basic difference between field theory and string theory is that field theory is based on running waves while string theory should deal with standing waves in the Lorentz-covariant regime. At the 1970 spring meeting of the American Physical Society held in Washington, DC, R. P. Feynman stunned the audience by proposing harmonic oscillators for relativistic bound states, instead of Feynman diagrams. His talk was later published in the paper of Feynman, Kislinger, and Ravndal [Phys. Rev. D, Vol. 3, 2706 (1971)]. These authors noted that the hadron mass spectra can be predicted by the degeneracy of the three-dimensional harmonic oscillators. In so doing, they started with the Lorentz-invariant differential equation for the harmonic oscillator, and obtained Lorentz invariant solutions. However, their solutions are not normalizable in the time-separation variable and cannot carry probability interpretation. It is pointed out that there are solutions normalizable in the time-separation variable within the framework of Wigner's little-group representation of the Poincaré group. These solutions are not invariant but covariant under Lorentz transformations. These solutions give a covariant bound-state model which gives the quark model and the parton model as two different limiting cases, in the low- and high-speed limits respectively.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2004

Lorentz Group in Ray Optics

It has been almost one hundred years since Einstein formulated his special theory of relativity in 1905. He showed that the basic space-time symmetry is dictated by the Lorentz group. It is shown that this group of Lorentz transformations is not only applicable to special relativity, but also constitutes the scientific language for optical sciences. It is noted that coherent and squeezed states of light are representations of the Lorentz group. The Lorentz group is also the basic underlying language for classical ray optics, including polarization optics, interferometers, the Poincareé sphere, one-lens optics, multi-lens optics, laser cavities, as well multilayer optics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2004

Rotations associated with Lorentz boosts

It is possible to associate two angles with two successive non-collinear Lorentz boosts. If one boost is applied after the initial boost, the result is the final boost preceded by a rotation called the Wigner rotation. The other rotation is associated with Wigner's O(3)-like little group. These two angles are shown to be different. However, it is shown that the sum of these two rotation angles is equal to the angle between the initial and final boosts. This relation is studied for both low-speed and high-speed limits. Furthermore, it is noted that the two-by-two matrices which are under the responsibility of other branches of physics can be interpreted in terms of the transformations of the Lorentz group, or vice versa. Classical ray optics is mentioned as a case in point.

math-ph↗

arXiv2003

Wigner's new physics frontier: Physics of two-by-two matrices, including the Lorentz group and optical instruments

According to Eugene Wigner, quantum mechanics is a physics of Fourier transformations, and special relativity is a physics of Lorentz transformations. Since two-by-two matrices with unit determinant form the group SL(2,c) which acts as the universal covering group of the Lorentz group, the two-by-two matrices constitute the natural language for special relativity. The central language for optical instruments is the two-by-two matrix called the beam transfer matrix, or the so-called ABCD matrix. It is shown that the ABCD matrices also form the SL(2,C) group. Thus, it is possible to perform experiments in special relativity using optical instruments. Likewise, the optical instruments can be explained in terms of the symmetry of relativistic particles.

math-ph↗

arXiv2003

Carrier-mediated ferromagnetic ordering in Mn ion-implanted p+GaAs:C

Highly p-type GaAs:C was ion-implanted with Mn at differing doses to produce Mn concentrations in the 1 - 5 at.% range. In comparison to LT-GaAs and n+GaAs:Si samples implanted under the same conditions, transport and magnetic properties show marked differences. Transport measurements show anomalies, consistent with observed magnetic properties and with epi- LT-(Ga,Mn)As, as well as the extraordinary Hall Effect up to the observed magnetic ordering temperature (T_C). Mn ion-implanted p+GaAs:C with as-grown carrier concentrations > 10^20 cm^-3 show remanent magnetization up to 280 K.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2003

Einstein, Wigner, and Feynman: From E = mc^{2} to Feynman's decoherence via Wigner's little groups

The 20th-century physics starts with Einstein and ends with Feynman. Einstein introduced the Lorentz-covariant world with E = mc^{2}. Feynman observed that fast-moving hadrons consist of partons which act incoherently with external signals. If quarks and partons are the same entities observed in different Lorentz frames, the question then is why partons are incoherent while quarks are coherent. This is the most puzzling question Feynman left for us to solve. In this report, we discuss Wigner's role in settling this question. Einstein's E = mc^{2}, which takes the form E = \sqrt{m^{2} + p^{2}}, unifies the energy-momentum relations for massive and massless particles, but it does not take into account internal space-time structure of relativistic particles. It is pointed out Wigner's 1939 paper on the inhomogeneous Lorentz group defines particle spin and gauge degrees of freedom in the Lorentz-covariant world. Within the Wigner framework, it is shown possible to construct the internal space-time structure for hadrons in the quark model. It is then shown that the quark model and the parton model are two different manifestations of the same covariant entity. It is shown therefore that the lack of coherence in Feynman's parton picture is an effect of the Lorentz covariance.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2003

Sliderule-like property of Wigner's little groups and cyclic S-matrices for multilayer optics

It is noted that two-by-two S-matrices in multilayer optics can be represented by the Sp(2) group whose algebraic property is the same as the group of Lorentz transformations applicable to two space-like and one time-like dimensions. It is noted also that Wigner's little groups have a sliderule-like property which allows us to perform multiplications by additions. It is shown that these two mathematical properties lead to a cyclic representation of the S-matrix for multilayer optics, as in the case of ABCD matrices for laser cavities. It is therefore possible to write the N-layer S-matrix as a multiplication of the N single-layer S-matrices resulting in the same mathematical expression with one of the parameters multiplied by N. In addition, it is noted, as in the case of lens optics, multilayer optics can serve as an analogue computer for the contraction of Wigner's little groups for internal space-time symmetries of relativistic particles.

math-ph↗

arXiv2003

Is the concept of quantum probability consistent with Lorentz covariance?

Lorentz-covariant harmonic oscillator wave functions are constructed from the Lorentz-invariant oscillator differential equation of Feynman, Kislinger, and Ravndal for a two-body bound state. The wave functions are not invariant but covariant. As the differential equation contains the time-separation variable, the wave functions contain the same time-separation variable which does not exist in Schrödinger wave functions. This time-separation variable can be shown to belong to Feynman's rest of the universe, and can thus be eliminated from the density matrix. The covariant probability interpretation is given. This oscillator formalism explains Feynman's decoherence mechanism which is exhibited in Feynman's parton picture.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Lens optics as an optical computer for group contractions

It is shown that the one-lens system in para-axial optics can serve as an optical computer for contraction of Wigner's little groups and an analogue computer which transforms analytically computations on a spherical surface to those on a hyperbolic surface. It is shown possible to construct a set of Lorentz transformations which leads to a two-by-two matrix whose expression is the same as those in the para-axial lens optics. It is shown that the lens focal condition corresponds to the contraction of the O(3)-like little group for a massive particle to the E(2)-like little group for a massless particle, and also to the contraction of the O(2,1)-like little group for a space-like particle to the same E(2)-like little group. The lens-focusing transformations presented in this paper allow us to continue analytically the spherical O(3) world to the hyperbolic O(2,1) world, and vice versa.

math-ph↗

arXiv2002

Feynman's Decoherence

Gell-Mann's quarks are coherent particles confined within a hadron at rest, but Feynman's partons are incoherent particles which constitute a hadron moving with a velocity close to that of light. It is widely believed that the quark model and the parton model are two different manifestations of the same covariant entity. If this is the case, the question arises whether the Lorentz boost destroys coherence. It is pointed out that this is not the case, and it is possible to resolve this puzzle without inventing new physics. It is shown that this decoherence is due to the measurement processes which are less than complete.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2002

Wigner's Spins, Feynman's Partons, and Their Common Ground

The connection between spin and symmetry was established by Wigner in his 1939 paper on the Poincaré group. For a massive particle at rest, the little group is O(3) from which the concept of spin emerges. The little group for a massless particle is isomorphic to the two-dimensional Euclidean group with one rotational and two translational degrees of freedom. The rotational degree corresponds to the helicity, and the translational degrees to the gauge degree of freedom. The question then is whether these two different symmetries can be united. Another hard-pressing problem is Feynman's parton picture which is valid only for hadrons moving with speed close to that of light. While the hadron at rest is believed to be a bound state of quarks, the question arises whether the parton picture is a Lorentz-boosted bound state of quarks. We study these problems within Einstein's framework in which the energy-momentum relations for slow particles and fast particles are two different manifestations one covariant entity.

quant-ph↗