Classical Equations Of Motion Research Articles

On the consistency of the Lagrange multiplier method in classical mechanics

Problems involving rolling without slipping or no sideways skidding, to name a few, introduce velocity-dependent constraints that can be efficiently treated by the method of Lagrange multipliers in the Lagrangian formulation of the classical equations of motion. In doing so, one finds, as a bonus, the constraint forces, which must be independent of the solution of the equations of motion and can only depend on the generalized coordinates and velocities, as well as time. In this paper, we establish conditions the Lagrangian and the constraints should obey in order to guarantee that the constraint forces can be obtained consistently.

From local to nonlocal: higher fidelity simulations of photon emission in intense laser pulses

State-of-the-art numerical simulations of quantum electrodynamical (QED) processes in strong laser fields rely on a semiclassical combination of classical equations of motion and QED rates, which are calculated in the locally constant field approximation. However, the latter approximation is unreliable if the amplitude of the fields, a 0, is comparable to unity. Furthermore, it cannot, by definition, capture interference effects that give rise to harmonic structure. Here we present an alternative numerical approach, which resolves these two issues by combining cycle-averaged equations of motion and QED rates calculated in the locally monochromatic approximation. We demonstrate that it significantly improves the accuracy of simulations of photon emission across the full range of photon energies and laser intensities, in plane-wave, chirped and focused background fields.

Supersymmetry breaking and stability in string vacua

We review some aspects of the dramatic consequences of supersymmetry breaking on string vacua. In particular, we focus on the issue of vacuum stability in ten-dimensional string models with broken, or without, supersymmetry, whose perturbative spectra are free of tachyons. After formulating the models at stake, we introduce their unified low-energy effective description and present a number of vacuum solutions to the classical equations of motion. In addition, we present a generalization of previous no-go results for de Sitter vacua in warped flux compactifications. Then we analyze the classical and quantum stability of these vacua, studying linearized field fluctuations and bubble nucleation. Then, we describe how the resulting instabilities can be framed in terms of brane dynamics, examining in particular brane interactions, back-reacted geometries and commenting on a brane-world string construction along the lines of a recent proposal. After providing a summary, we conclude with some perspectives on possible future developments.

Effective Toughness of Heterogeneous Materials with Rate-Dependent Fracture Energy.

We investigate the dynamic fracture of heterogeneous materials experimentally by measuring displacement fields as a rupture propagates through a periodic array of obstacles of controlled fracture energy. Our measurements demonstrate the applicability of the classical equation of motion of cracks at a discontinuity of fracture energy: the crack speed jumps at the entrance and exit of an obstacle, as predicted by the crack-tip energy balance within the brittle fracture framework. The speed jump amplitude is governed by the fracture energy contrast and by the combination of the rate dependency of the fracture energy and the inertia of the medium, which allows the crack to cross a fracture energy discontinuity at a constant energy release rate. This discontinuous dynamics and the rate dependence cause higher effective toughness, which governs the coarse-grained behavior of these cracks.

On the two-loop divergences in 6D, [formula omitted] SYM theory

We continue studying 6D,N=(1,1) supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theory in the N=(1,0) harmonic superspace formulation. Using the superfield background field method we explore the two-loop divergences of the effective action in the gauge multiplet sector. It is explicitly demonstrated that among four two-loop background-field dependent supergraphs contributing to the effective action, only one diverges off shell. It is also shown that the divergences are proportional to the superfield classical equations of motion and hence vanish on shell. Besides, we have analyzed a possible structure of the two-loop divergences on general gauge and hypermultiplet background.

Analytical spectrum of nonlinear Thomson scattering including radiation reaction

Accelerated charges emit electromagnetic radiation and the consequent energy-momentum loss alters their trajectory. This phenomenon is known as radiation reaction and the Landau-Lifshitz (LL) equation is the classical equation of motion of the electron, which takes into account radiation-reaction effects in the electron trajectory. By using the analytical solution of the LL equation in an arbitrary plane wave, we compute the analytical expression of the classical emission spectrum via nonlinear Thomson scattering including radiation-reaction effects. Both the angularly resolved and the angularly integrated spectra are reported, which are valid in an arbitrary plane wave. Also, we have obtained a phase-dependent expression of the electron dressed mass, which includes radiation-reaction effects. Finally, the corresponding spectra within the locally constant field approximation have been derived.

Magnetization dynamics of a harmonically confined quantum charged particle in time dependent magnetic fields inside a circular solenoid

I consider a quantum spinless charged particle moving in the xy plane under the action of a time-dependent magnetic field described by means of the linear vector potential in the ‘circular’ gauge A = B(t)(−y, x)/2 and in the presence of the confining potential . This potential guarantees finite values of all second-order moments in the initial equilibrium (thermal) state. Time-dependent mean values of the energy and magnetic moment are expressed in terms of solutions to the classical equation of motion . Simple approximate results are found in the cases of the sudden jump of magnetic field, the parametric resonance, and the adiabatic evolution. They are compared with exact solutions in terms of the hypergeometric function for the specific function B(t) of the Epstein–Eckart type. A great amplification of the magnetic moment is discovered for the initial high-temperature states, both for the fast and slow monotonous variations of the magnetic field. Classical adiabatic invariants do not exist if the magnetic field slowly goes to zero or changes its sign.

Ultrarelativistic electrons in counterpropagating laser beams

The dynamics and radiation of ultrarelativistic electrons in strong counterpropagating laser beams are investigated. Assuming that the particle energy is the dominant scale in the problem, an approximate solution of classical equations of motion is derived and the characteristic features of the motion are examined. A specific regime is found with comparable strong field quantum parameters of the beams, when the electron trajectory exhibits ultrashort spike-like features, which bears great significance to the corresponding radiation properties. An analytical expression for the spectral distribution of spontaneous radiation is derived in the framework of the Baier–Katkov semiclassical approximation based on the classical trajectory. All the analytical results are further validated by exact numerical calculations. We consider a non-resonant regime of interaction, when the laser frequencies in the electron rest frame are far from each other, avoiding stimulated emission. Special attention is devoted to settings when the description of radiation via the local constant field approximation fails and to corresponding spectral features. Periodic and non-periodic regimes are considered, when lab frequencies of the laser waves are always commensurate. The sensitivity of spectra with respect to the electron beam spread, focusing and finite duration of the laser beams is explored.

Aharonov–Bohm-like scattering in the generalized uncertainty principle-corrected quantum mechanics

We discuss classical electrodynamics and the Aharonov–Bohm effect in the presence of the minimal length. In the former, we derive the classical equation of motion and the corresponding Lagrangian. In the latter, we adopt the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) and compute the scattering cross-section up to the first-order of the GUP parameter [Formula: see text]. Even though the minimal length exists, the cross-section is invariant under the simultaneous change [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are azimuthal angle and magnetic flux parameter. However, unlike the usual Aharonv–Bohm scattering, the cross-section exhibits discontinuous behavior at every integer [Formula: see text]. The symmetries, which the cross-section has in the absence of GUP, are shown to be explicitly broken at the level of [Formula: see text].

Modelling and energy transfer in the coupled nonlinear response of a 1:1 internally resonant cable system with a tuned mass damper

Considering the vibration of a Tuned Mass Damper (TMD), a dynamic model composed of the cable and TMD is investigated. Different from the other studies, this paper is mainly devoted to nonlinear behaviours of the model by considering the participation of the damper in energy transfer and coupling interaction between the cable and damper. According to the extended Hamilton’s principle, the classical equations of motion of the cable and TMD are derived. Based on the equations of motion of the cable and TMD, the one-to-one internal resonance of the system is studied when external primary resonance of the cable occurs. By applying the Galerkin’s method, a set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are obtained. To solve the ODEs, the multiple time scale method is used and the modulation equations are derived. The stable solutions of the modulation equations are acquired by Newton-Raphson method and continued by pseudo arclength algorithm. Meanwhile, the parametric analyses of some key parameters, such as the excitation amplitude, the spring stiffness, the damping ratio and position of the TMD and the sag of the cable, are carried out through frequency-/force-response curves to explore the nonlinear behaviours of the system. The results show that the TMD plays an important role in both energy consumption and energy transfer.

Higgs inflation with the Holst and the Nieh–Yan term

The action of loop quantum gravity includes the Holst term and/or the Nieh-Yan term in addition to the Ricci scalar. These terms are expected to couple non-minimally to the Higgs. Thus the Holst and Nieh-Yan terms contribute to the classical equations of motion, and they can have a significant impact on inflation. We derive inflationary predictions in the parameter space of the non-minimal couplings, including non-minimally coupled terms up to dimension 4. Successful inflation is possible even with zero or negative coupling of the Ricci scalar. Notably, inflation supported by the non-minimally coupled Holst term alone gives almost the same observables as the original metric formulation plateau Higgs inflation. A non-minimally coupled Nieh-Yan term alone cannot give successful inflation. When all three terms are considered, the predictions for the spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio span almost the whole range probed by upcoming experiments. This is not true for the running of the spectral index, and many cases are highly tuned.

A manifestly covariant theory of multifield stochastic inflation in phase space: solving the discretisation ambiguity in stochastic inflation

Stochastic inflation is an effective theory describing the super-Hubble, coarse-grained, scalar fields driving inflation, by a set of Langevin equations. We previously highlighted the difficulty of deriving a theory of stochastic inflation that is invariant under field redefinitions, and the link with the ambiguity of discretisation schemes defining stochastic differential equations. In this paper, we solve the issue of these "inflationary stochastic anomalies" by using the Stratonovich discretisation satisfying general covariance, and identifying that the quantum nature of the fluctuating fields entails the existence of a preferred frame defining independent stochastic noises. Moreover, we derive physically equivalent Itô-Langevin equations that are manifestly covariant and well suited for numerical computations. These equations are formulated in the general context of multifield inflation with curved field space, taking into account the coupling to gravity as well as the full phase space in the Hamiltonian language, but this resolution is also relevant in simpler single-field setups. We also develop a path-integral derivation of these equations, which solves conceptual issues of the heuristic approach made at the level of the classical equations of motion, and allows in principle to compute corrections to the stochastic formalism. Using the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism, we integrate out small-scale fluctuations, derive the influence action that describes their effects on the coarse-grained fields, and show how the resulting coarse-grained effective Hamiltonian action can be interpreted to derive Langevin equations with manifestly real noises. Although the corresponding dynamics is not rigorously Markovian, we show the covariant, phase-space Fokker-Planck equation for the Probability Density Function of fields and momenta when the Markovian approximation is relevant, and we give analytical approximations for the noises' amplitudes in multifield scenarios.

Time and classical equations of motion from quantum entanglement via the Page and Wootters mechanism with generalized coherent states

We draw a picture of physical systems that allows us to recognize what “time” is by requiring consistency with the way that time enters the fundamental laws of Physics. Elements of the picture are two non-interacting and yet entangled quantum systems, one of which acting as a clock. The setting is based on the Page and Wootters mechanism, with tools from large-N quantum approaches. Starting from an overall quantum description, we first take the classical limit of the clock only, and then of the clock and the evolving system altogether; we thus derive the Schrödinger equation in the first case, and the Hamilton equations of motion in the second. This work shows that there is not a “quantum time”, possibly opposed to a “classical” one; there is only one time, and it is a manifestation of entanglement.

A worldsheet for Kerr

We show that the Newman-Janis shift property of the exact Kerr solution can be interpreted in terms of a worldsheet effective action. This holds both in gravity, and for the single-copy sqrt{mathrm{Kerr}} solution in electrodynamics. At the level of equations of motion, we show that the Newman-Janis shift holds also for the leading interactions of the Kerr black hole. These leading interactions are conveniently described using chiral classical equations of motion with the help of the spinor-helicity method familiar from scattering amplitudes.

Decoherence as an Inherent Characteristic of Quantum Mechanics

In this study, we show that it is possible to explain the quantum measurement process within the framework of quantum mechanics without any additional postulates. We do not delve into a deep discussion regarding what the measurement problem actually is, and only examine the problems that seem to exist between classical and quantum physics. Relations between quantum and classical equations of motion are briefly reviewed to show that the transition from a superposition of quantum states to an eigenstate, namely, decoherence, is necessary to ensure that the expectation values in quantum mechanics obey the classical equations of motion. Several Bell-type inequalities and the Kochen-Specker theorem are also reviewed to clarify the concepts of nonseparability and counterfactual definiteness in quantum mechanics. The main objective of this study is to show that decoherence is an inherent characteristic of quantum states caused by the quantum uncertainty relation. We conclude that the quantum measurement process can indeed be explained within the framework of pure quantum mechanics. We also show that our conclusion is consistent with the counterfactual indefiniteness of quantum mechanics.

Quantum Maxwell's Equations Made Simple: Employing Scalar and Vector Potential Formulation

We present a succinct way to quantize Maxwell's equations. We begin by discussing the random nature of quantum observables. Then we present the quantum Maxwell's equations and give their physical meanings. Due to the mathematical homomorphism between the classical and quantum cases [1], the derivation of quantum Maxwell's equations can be simplified. First, one needs only to verify that the classical equations of motion are derivable from a Hamiltonian by energy-conservation arguments. Then the quantum equations of motion follow due to homomorphism, which applies to sum-separable Hamiltonians. Hence, we first show the derivation of classical Maxwell's equations using Hamiltonian theory. Then the derivation of the quantum Maxwell's equations follows in an analogous fashion. Finally, we apply this quantization procedure to the dispersive medium case. (This article is written for the classical electromagnetic community assuming little knowledge of quantum theory, an introduction of which can be found in [2, Lecs. 38 and 39].)

Replica evolution of classical fields in 4+1D spacetime toward real-time dynamics of quantum fields

Abstract Real-time evolution of replicas of classical fields is proposed as an approximate simulator of real-time quantum field dynamics at finite temperatures. We consider $N$ classical field configurations, $(\phi_{{\tau{\boldsymbol{x}}}},\pi_{{\tau{\boldsymbol{x}}}}) (\tau=0,1,\ldots, N-1)$, dubbed as replicas, which interact with each other via $\tau$-derivative terms and evolve with the classical equation of motion. The partition function of replicas is found to be proportional to that of a quantum field in the imaginary-time formalism. Since the replica index can be regarded as the imaginary-time index, replica evolution is technically the same as the molecular dynamics part of hybrid Monte Carlo sampling. Then the replica configurations should reproduce the correct quantum equilibrium distribution after long time evolution. At the same time, evolution of the replica-index average of field variables is described by the classical equation of motion when the fluctuations are small. In order to examine the real-time propagation properties of replicas, we first discuss replica evolution in quantum mechanics. Statistical averages of observables are precisely obtained by the initial condition average of replica evolution, and the time evolution of the unequal-time correlation function, $\langle x(t) x(t')\rangle$, in a harmonic oscillator is also described well by the replica evolution in the range $T/\omega > 0.5$. Next, we examine the statistical and dynamical properties of the $\phi^4$ theory in 4+1D spacetime, which contains three spatial, one replica index or imaginary time, and one real time. We note that the Rayleigh–Jeans divergence can be removed in replica evolution with $N \geq 2$ when the mass counterterm is taken into account. We also find that the thermal mass obtained from the unequal-time correlation function at zero momentum grows as a function of the coupling as in the perturbative estimate in the small coupling region.

Non-adiabatic coupling as a frictional force in the formation of H3+: a model dynamical study

By treating the non-adiabatic coupling terms (NACTs) in a molecular system as equivalent to a frictional force, the classical equation of motion is solved for a test case of quasi-H3+ along the C2v axis and axes parallel to it, and it is shown that the singular NACTs between the first two excited electronic states slow down the relative motion of the three quasi-ions (H,H,H)+ while approaching each other.

Dynamics of Space at High Energies

The dynamics of space endowed by a metric of the 3-dimensional sphere in the framework of f(R)–gravity acting in D = 4 from the creation at high energies is studied. Spaces of finite size are found as a result of exact solution of the classical equations of motion. Generalization of the theory to other dimensions D = 3 and D = 5 are also considered.

Equation of State and Statistical Distribution in a Macroscopic System

A representation is proposed for the statistical sum for a macroscopic body in the form of a Euclidean functional integral in which the body deformation is a classical fluctuation-free parameter. The equation of state of the body relating its deformation and temperature with the external mechanical load is contained in this representation as a constraint on the integration measure by a suitable classical equation of motion.