Nonclassical Energy Research Articles

Laser Measurement of Anomalous Electron Diffusion in a Crossed-Field Plasma.

The anomalous diffusion of particles and energy in magnetized plasma systems is a widespread phenomenon that can adversely impact their operation and preclude predictive models. In this Letter, this diffusion is characterized noninvasively in a low-temperature, Hall-type plasma. Laser-induced fluorescence and incoherent Thomson scattering measurements are combined with a 1D generalized Ohm's law to infer the time-averaged inverse Hall parameter, a transport coefficient that governs cross-field diffusion. While the measured diffusion profile agrees with model-based estimates in magnitude, the measurements do not exhibit the steep "transport barrier" typically imposed in models. Instead, these results show that the electric field is primarily driven by a diamagnetic contribution due to the large peak electron temperature exceeding 75eV. This finding motivates a reconsideration of nonclassical energy transport across field lines in low-temperature plasmas.

Non-classical energy squeezing of a macroscopic mechanical oscillator

Optomechanics and electromechanics have made it possible to prepare macroscopic mechanical oscillators in their quantum ground states, in quadrature squeezed states, and in entangled states of motion. In addition to coaxing ever larger and more tangible objects into a regime of quantum behavior, this new capability has encouraged ideas of using mechanical oscillators in the processing and communication of quantum information and as precision force sensors operating beyond the standard quantum limit. But the effectively linear interaction between motion and light or electricity precludes access to the broader class of quantum states of motion, such as cat states or energy squeezed states. Indeed, early optomechanical proposals noted the possibility to escape this restriction by creating strong quadratic coupling of motion to light. Although there have been experimental demonstrations of quadratically coupled optomechanical systems, these have not yet accessed nonclassical states of motion. Here we create nonclassical states by quadratically coupling motion to the energy levels of a Cooper-pair box (CPB) qubit. By monitoring the qubit's transition frequency, we detect the oscillator's phonon distribution rather than its position. Through microwave frequency drives that change both the state of the oscillator and qubit, we then dissipatively stabilize the oscillator in a state with a large mean phonon number of 43 and sub-Poissonian number fluctuations of approximately 3. In this energy squeezed state we observe a striking feature of the quadratic coupling: the recoil of the mechanical oscillator caused by qubit transitions, closely analogous to the vibronic transitions in molecules.

Non-linear anisotropic damage rheology model: Theory and experimental verification

We extend the isotropic non-linear damage rheology model with a scalar damage parameter to a more complex formulation that accounts for anisotropic damage growth under true triaxial loading. The model takes account of both the anisotropy of elastic properties (associated with textural rock structure) and the stress- and damage-induced anisotropy (associated with loading). The scalar, isotropic model is modified by assuming orthotropic symmetry and introducing a second-order damage tensor, the principal values of which describe damage in three orthogonal directions associated with the orientations of the principal loading axes. Different damage components, accumulated under true triaxial loading conditions, allows us to reproduce both stress-strain curves and damage- and stress-induced seismic wave velocity anisotropy. The suggested model generalization includes a non-classical energy term similar to the isotropic non-linear scalar damage model, which allows accounting for the abrupt change in the effective elastic moduli upon stress reversal.For calibration and verification of the model parameters, we use experimental stress-strain curves from deformation of dry sandstone under both conventional and true triaxial stress conditions. Cubic samples were deformed in three orthogonal directions with independently controlled stress paths. To characterize crack damage, changes in ultrasonic P-wave velocities in the three principal directions were measured, together with the bulk acoustic emission output. The parameters of the developed model were constrained using the conventional triaxial test data, and provided good fits to the stress-strain curves and P-wave velocity variations in the three orthogonal directions. Numerical simulation of the true triaxial test data demonstrates that the anisotropic damage rheology model adequately describes both non-linear stress-strain behavior and P-wave velocity variations in the tested Darley Dale sandstone.

Nonclassical t-Dependent Energy Integral of q″+aq′+b(t)q+c(t)qn =0

Abstract In the present note, we address the general nonlinear oscillator of the form q″+aq′+b(t)q+c(t)qn =0, where q as well as the coefficients b(t) and c(t) are complex or real-valued functions of the real variable t; a is a real constant, and n is a real number. By starting with a certain Hamiltonian function, we discuss conditions on the functions b(t) and c(t) for which such differential equation becomes able to admit a nonclassical energy integral – i.e. a t-dependent energy integral. A method to inversely elicit the corresponding conservative solutions of this differential equation is consequently established, and two examples addressing periodic conservative solutions are shown.

Synthesis of Organochalcogen Compounds using Non-Conventional Reaction Media

Organochalcogen compounds (containing S, Se and Te) are interesting either for use as an intermediate in the synthesis of complex molecules or for the exploitation of their biological properties. The growing in the number of papers on the synthesis and application of organochalcogen compounds has been accompanied by a concern about how they are prepared. Here, we provide a comprehensive and updated review on recent synthetic methods available for their synthesis using alternative solvents or solvent-free conditions and non-classical energy sources (microwaves irradiation, sonochemistry and mechanochemistry). Organized in fourteen sections, this review brings the more than one hundred alternative methods described so far to access organic compounds containing selenium, tellurium and sulfur.

Non-classical energy state and quantum tunnling coherence dissipation for the two-state system with the spin coupled to the lattice phonon

采用关联表象变分波函数方案, 介入三个非经典关联效应, 求解有限温度双能态自旋-晶格声子耦合量子隧道系统的非经典态, 着重研究化解由于粒子自旋-单声子相互作用引起的量子涨落导致双能态系统的退相干性量子耗散. 这三个非经典关联效应是: 1) 声子位移-粒子自旋 (σz)间强非绝热关联; 2) 声子压缩态效应及其伴随发生的单声子相干态-声子压缩态两过程相干效应; 3) 由关联表象导致的声子位移(UD)与声子压缩(US)的表象关联非绝热修正. 结果表明: 由于引入粒子自旋-双声子相互作用, 大幅度地增强了声子场压缩态, 特别是更进一步极大幅度地增强了非经典压缩-相干态效应. 因此, 由粒子自旋-单声子相互作用产生的Debye-Walle相干弹性散射效应导致量子隧道项(-Δ0σx)的强烈指数衰减及其伴随严重的量子相干损失的极大幅度的抑制, 并且自旋-晶格声子耦合量子隧道系统的非经典态能量大幅度降低.

Nonclassical energy transfer in photosynthetic FMO complex

Excitation energy transfer in a photosynthetic FMO complex has been sim- ulated using the stochastic Schr¨ odinger equation. Fluctuating chromophore transition en- ergies are simulated from the quantum correlation function which allows to properly in- clude the finite temperature. The resulting excitation dynamics shows fast thermalization of chromophore occupations into proper thermal equilibrium. The relaxation process is characterized by entropy dynamics, which shows nonclassical behavior.

ChemInform Abstract: Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Colloidal Inorganic Nanocrystals

AbstractReview: 411 refs.

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Colloidal Inorganic Nanocrystals

Colloidal inorganic nanocrystals stand out as an important class of advanced nanomaterials owing to the flexibility with which their physical-chemical properties can be controlled through size, shape, and compositional engineering in the synthesis stage and the versatility with which they can be implemented into technological applications in fields as diverse as optoelectronics, energy conversion/production, catalysis, and biomedicine. The use of microwave irradiation as a non-classical energy source has become increasingly popular in the preparation of nanocrystals (which generally involves complex and time-consuming processing of molecular precursors in the presence of solvents, ligands and/or surfactants at elevated temperatures). Similar to its now widespread use in organic chemistry, the efficiency of "microwave flash heating" in dramatically reducing overall processing times is one of the main advantages associated with this technique. This Review illustrates microwave-assisted methods that have been developed to synthesize colloidal inorganic nanocrystals and critically evaluates the specific roles that microwave irradiation may play in the formation of these nanomaterials.

Quantum Measurement of Phonon Shot Noise

We provide a full quantum mechanical analysis of a weak energy measurement of a driven mechanical resonator. We demonstrate that measurements too weak to resolve individual mechanical Fock states can nonetheless be used to detect the nonclassical energy fluctuations of the driven mechanical resonator, i.e., "phonon shot noise". We also show that the third moment of the oscillator's energy fluctuations provides a far more sensitive probe of quantum effects than the second moment, and that measuring the third moment via the phase shift of light in an optomechanical setup directly yields the type of operator ordering postulated in the theory of full-counting statistics.

Two-Electron Redox Energetics in Ligand-Bridged Dinuclear Molybdenum and Tungsten Complexes

Electron-transfer energetics of bridged dinuclear compounds of the form [(CO)(4)M(mu-L)](2)(0/1-/2-) (M = Mo, W; L = PPh(2)(-), SPh(-)) were explored using density functional theory coupled to a continuum solvation model. The experimentally observed redox potential inversion, a situation where the second of two electron transfers is more thermodynamically favorable than the first, was reproduced within this model. This nonclassical energy ordering is a prerequisite for the apparent transfer of two electrons at one potential, as observed in many biologically and technologically important systems. We pinpoint the origin of this phenomenon to be an unusually unfavorable electrostatic repulsion for the first electron transfer due to the redox noninnocent behavior of the bridging ligands. The extent of redox noninnocence is explained in terms of an orbital energy resonance between the metal-carbonyl and bridging ligand fragments, leading to a general mechanism by which potential inversion could be controlled in diamond-core dinuclear systems.

Avian reovirus sigmaA localizes to the nucleolus and enters the nucleus by a nonclassical energy- and carrier-independent pathway.

Avian reovirus sigmaA is a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein that has been shown to stabilize viral core particles and to protect the virus against the antiviral action of interferon. To continue with the characterization of this viral protein, we have investigated its intracellular distribution in avian cells. Most sigmaA accumulates into cytoplasmic viral factories of infected cells, and yet a significant fraction was detected in the nucleolus. The protein also localizes in the nucleolus of transfected cells, suggesting that nucleolar targeting is not facilitated by the viral infection or by viral factors. Assays performed in both intact cells and digitonin-permeabilized cells demonstrate that sigmaA is able to enter the nucleus via a nucleoporin-dependent nondiffusional mechanism that does not require added cytosolic factors or energy input. These results indicate that sigmaA by itself is able to penetrate into the nucleus using a process that is mechanistically different from the classical nuclear localization signal/importin pathway. On the other hand, two sigmaA arginines that are necessary for dsRNA binding are also required for nucleolar localization, suggesting that dsRNA-binding and nucleolar targeting are intimately linked properties of the viral protein.

Microwave‐Assisted Heterogeneous Gas‐Phase Catalysis.

This article reviews microwave-assisted heterogeneous gas-phase catalysis. To date, this special means of non-classical energy input by microwave radiation is still a fringe area of catalysis research, and alternative reaction engineering in chemistry and chemical engineering. However, microwave-assisted heterogeneous gas-phase catalysis is expected to gain significant popularity in academia and industry in the near future. Experimental set-ups that have been described in literature are critically reviewed, and concepts for the design of improved experimental set-ups are provided in this article. Historical developments, current tendencies, and a short introduction to the theory of dielectric heating are discussed.

Heterogene Gasphasenkatalyse im Mikrowellenfeld

This work reviews microwave-assisted heterogeneous gas-phase catalysis. This special form of non-classical energy input by microwave radiation still represents a peripheral area of catalysis, alternative reaction ways, and of chemical and process engineering, with growing academical and industrial attractiveness. Experimental set-ups described in literature are critically regarded and hints to create more useful multimode microwave reactors are given. Historical developments, current tendencies, and a short introduction to the theory of dielectric heating are pointed out.

A Three-Dimensional Crack Tip Element for Energy Release Rate Determination in Layered Elastic Structures

A three-dimensional crack tip element is presented and used to determine energy release rate and mode mix for different types of laminated plates containing delaminations. These results are then compared to predictions by three-dimensional finite element analyses. For all cases, total energy release rates as predicted by the two methods are in good agreement. For delaminations between plies at the same orientation, energy release rate components are determined by the crack tip element using both classical and non-classical definitions. The non-classical definition is one that has been derived in a previous work and, compared to the classical result, is shown to provide superior capability for predicting delamination growth in some graphite/epoxy composites. The classical energy release rate components predicted by the crack tip element are compared to results by three-dimensional finite element analyses and the virtual crack closure technique and good agreement is obtained. For delaminations between plies at different orientations, the crack tip element is used to predict non-classical energy release rate components as well as components based on a finite amount of crack closure. These latter quantities are compared to results by three dimensional finite element analyses and the virtual crack closure technique, and good correlation is obtained. These results indicate that the crack tip element may be used to accurately determine energy release rate components in practical problems of delamination where these components are defined classically, defined by commonly used approaches such as finite crack closure, or defined using a non-classical approach. As such, the element provides a powerful yet adaptable technique for predicting delamination growth in a wide variety of materials.

Organic processes initiated by non‐classical energy sources

Non-classical energy sources such as microwave energy, ultrasound and mechanoenergy and their combination with UV–VIS radiation are new tools in synthetic chemistry and chemical processing. Here we describe the application of microwave treatment for selected organic reactions such as (i) enzymatic transesterification of optically active alcohols, (ii) mercury-sensitized gas-phase photolysis of hydrocarbons in the microwave field, (iii) environmentally benign oxidations of olefins and (iv) the application of mechanoenergy separately and in combination with microwave irradiation for special oxidation reactions. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Organic processes initiated by non-classical energy sources

Non-classical energy sources such as microwave energy, ultrasound and mechanoenergy and their combination with UV–VIS radiation are new tools in synthetic chemistry and chemical processing. Here we describe the application of microwave treatment for selected organic reactions such as (i) enzymatic transesterification of optically active alcohols, (ii) mercury-sensitized gas-phase photolysis of hydrocarbons in the microwave field, (iii) environmentally benign oxidations of olefins and (iv) the application of mechanoenergy separately and in combination with microwave irradiation for special oxidation reactions. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Recovery Temperature for Nonclassical Energy Transfer in Atom-Surface Scattering

Nonperturbative expressions are derived for the angular resolved energy transfer spectra in the quantum regime of multiphonon scattering of inert gas atoms from surfaces. Application to He atom scattering from a prototype heat bath Xe/Cu(111) shows good agreement with experiments. This enables a full quantum calculation of the total energy transfer $\ensuremath{\mu}$ and from this the much debated recovery or equilibrium temperature ${T}_{r}$ characteristic of zero energy transfer in gas-surface collisions in the free molecular flow regime. The classical universal character of $\ensuremath{\mu}$ and ${T}_{r}$ is refuted.

Planck's constant and necessarily time-extended phenomena

This paper is an attempt to make a wholly new interpretation of the uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics. It is conjectured that where there is supposed to be uncertainty of energy, there is instead a specific form of energy – non-classical energy – which is necessarily extended in time. The conjecture gives rise to a realist interpretation of quantum mechanics which does not rest on any really new mathematical theorem. Instead, the reinterpretation is based on an insight belonging to the philosophy of science. It says that dimensional identities may hide spatiotemporal differences. Non-classical energy has exactly the same physical dimension as action and Planck's constant, but it does nonetheless not correspond to action.

Dirty Black Holes and Hairy Black Holes.

An approach based on considerations of the non-classical energy momentum tensor outside the event horizon of a black hole provides additional physical insight into the nature of discrete quantum hair on black holes and its effect on black hole temperature. Our analysis both extends previous work based on the Euclidean action techniques, and corrects an omission in that work. We also raise several issues related to the effects of instantons on black hole thermodynamics and the relation between these effects and results in two dimensional quantum field theory.