The predictions of quantum mechanics are probabilistic. Quantum probabilities are extracted using a postulate of the theory called the Born rule, the status of which is central to the measurement problem of quantum mechanics. Efforts to justify the B
orn rule from other physical principles, and thus elucidate the measurement process, have involved lengthy statistical or information-theoretic arguments. Here we show that Bohms deterministic formulation of quantum mechanics allows the Born rule for measurements on a single system to be derived, without any statistical assumptions. We solve a simple example where the creation of an ensemble of identical quantum states, together with position measurements on those states, are described by Bohms quantum dynamics. The calculated measurement outcomes agree with the Born-rule probabilities, which are thus a consequence of deterministic evolution. Our results demonstrate that quantum probabilities can emerge from simple dynamical laws alone, and they support the view that there is no underlying indeterminism in quantum phenomena.
One particle in a classical perfect gas is driven out of equilibrium by changing its mass over a short time interval. The work done on the driven particle depends on its collisions with the other particles in the gas. This model thus provides an exam
ple of a non-equilibrium process in a system (the driven particle) coupled to an environment (the rest of the gas). We calculate the work done on the driven particle and compare the results to Jarzynskis equality relating a non-equilibrium work process to an equilibrium free-energy difference. The results for this model are generalised to the case of a system that is driven in one degree of freedom while interacting with the environment through other degrees of freedom.
Geometrical optics (GO) is widely used in studies of electromagnetic materials because of its ease of use compared to full-wave numerical simulations. Exact solutions for waves can, however, differ significantly from the GO approximation. In particul
ar, effects that are perfect for waves cannot usually be derived using GO. Here we give a method for designing materials in which GO is exact for some waves. This enables us to find interesting analytical solutions for exact wave propagation in inhomogeneous media. Two examples of the technique are given: a material in which two point sources do not interfere, and a perfect isotropic cloak for waves from a point source. We also give the form of material response required for GO to be exact for all waves.
We describe a design methodology for modifying the refractive index profile of graded-index optical instruments that incorporate singularities or zeros in their refractive index. The process maintains the device performance whilst resulting in graded
profiles that are all-dielectric, do not require materials with unrealistic values, and that are impedance matched to the bounding medium. This is achieved by transmuting the singularities (or zeros) using the formalism of transformation optics, but with an additional boundary condition requiring the gradient of the co- ordinate transformation be continuous. This additional boundary condition ensures that the device is impedance matched to the bounding medium when the spatially varying permittivity and permeability profiles are scaled to realizable values. We demonstrate the method in some detail for an Eaton lens, before describing the profiles for an invisible disc and multipole lenses.
The Casimir effect in an inhomogeneous dielectric is investigated using Lifshitzs theory of electromagnetic vacuum energy. A permittivity function that depends continuously on one Cartesian coordinate is chosen, bounded on each side by homogeneous di
electrics. The result for the Casimir stress is infinite everywhere inside the inhomogeneous region, a divergence that does not occur for piece-wise homogeneous dielectrics with planar boundaries. A Casimir force per unit volume can be extracted from the infinite stress but it diverges on the boundaries between the inhomogeneous medium and the homogeneous dielectrics. An alternative regularization of the vacuum stress is considered that removes the contribution of the inhomogeneity over small distances, where macroscopic electromagnetism is invalid. The alternative regularization yields a finite Casimir stress inside the inhomogeneous region, but the stress and force per unit volume diverge on the boundaries with the homogeneous dielectrics. The case of inhomogeneous dielectrics with planar boundaries thus falls outside the current understanding of the Casimir effect.
The zero-temperature Casimir-Lifshitz force between two plates moving parallel to each other at arbitrary constant speed was found in [New J. Phys. 11, 033035 (2009)]. The solution is here generalized to the case where the plates are at different tem
peratures. The Casimir-Lifshitz force is obtained by calculating the electromagnetic stress tensor, using the method employed by Antezza et al. [Phys. Rev. A 77, 022901 (2008)] for non-moving plates at different temperatures. The perpendicular force on the plates has contributions from the quantum vacuum and from the thermal radiation; both of these contributions are influenced by the motion. In addition to the perpendicular force, thermal radiation from the moving plates gives rise to a lateral component of the Casimir-Lifshitz force, an effect with no quantum-vacuum contribution. The zero-temperature results are reproduced, in particular the non-existence of a quantum-vacuum friction between the plates.
The Casimir forces between two plates moving parallel to each other are found by calculating the vacuum electromagnetic stress tensor. The perpendicular force between the plates is modified by the motion but there is no lateral force on the plates. E
lectromagnetic vacuum fluctuations do not therefore give rise to quantum friction in this case, contrary to previous assertions. The result shows that the Casimir-Polder force on a particle moving at constant speed parallel to a plate also has no lateral component.
