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From a non-equilibrium thermodynamical framework for transport analysis based on Onsager's Regression Hypothesis, we derive the value function first described by Dirac for isotope separation. This application of the framework is interpreted as both further validation of the transport framework and as a generalization of Dirac's value function. The framework for the analysis of transport phenomena is introduced, first. From the entropy of mixing, and in the presence of gradients in thermodynamic potentials, this framework generates a dynamical transport model from which Dirac's value function is derived as a measure of separative work performed. Dirac's value function is thus shown to be a measure of separative work for systems that are described by the entropy of mixing. As a further demonstration of its generality, the result is applied to a two-quantity, single spatial-dimension spin magnetization system., Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures

We present a framework for modeling the transport of any number of globally conserved quantities in any spatial configuration and apply it to obtain a model of magnetization transport for spin-systems that is valid in new regimes (including high-polarization). The framework allows an entropy function to define a model that explicitly respects the laws of thermodynamics. Three facets of the model are explored. First, it is expressed as nonlinear partial differential equations that are valid for the new regime of high dipole-energy and polarization. Second, the nonlinear model is explored in the limit of low dipole-energy (semi-linear), from which is derived a physical parameter characterizing separative magnetization transport (SMT). It is shown that the necessary and sufficient condition for SMT to occur is that the parameter is spatially inhomogeneous. Third, the high spin-temperature (linear) limit is shown to be equivalent to the model of nuclear spin transport of Genack and Redfield. Differences among the three forms of the model are illustrated by numerical solution with parameters corresponding to a magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) experiment. A family of analytic, steady-state solutions to the nonlinear equation is derived and shown to be the spin-temperature analog of the Langevin paramagnetic equation and Curie's law. Finally, we analyze the separative quality of magnetization transport, and a steady-state solution for the magnetization is shown to be compatible with Fenske's separative mass transport equation., Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures

The practical focus of this work is the dynamical simulation of polarization transport processes in quantum spin microscopy and spectroscopy. The simulation framework is built-up progressively, beginning with state-spaces (configuration manifolds) that are geometrically natural, introducing coordinates that are algebraically natural; and finally specifying dynamical potentials that are physically natural; in each respect explicit criteria are given for "naturality." The resulting framework encompasses Hamiltonian flow (both classical and quantum), quantum Lindbladian processes, and classical thermostatic processes. Constructive validation and verification criteria are given for metric and symplectic flows on classical, quantum, and hybrid state-spaces, with particular emphasis to tensor network state-spaces. Both classical and quantum examples are presented, including dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP). A broad span of applications and challenges is discussed, ranging from the design and simulation of quantum spin microscopes to the design and simulation of quantum oracles., Comment: Prepared for the 3rd nano-MRI Research Conference: Exploring the Frontiers of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 12-16 July 2010, Domaine du Tremblay, France. (LaTeX, 23 pages, 10 figures)

This report describes a cantilever controller for magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) based on a field programmable gate array (FPGA), along with the hardware and software used to integrate the controller into an experiment. The controller is assembled from a low-cost commercially available software defined radio (SDR) device and libraries of open-source software. The controller includes a digital filter comprising two cascaded second-order sections ("biquads"), which together can implement transfer functions for optimal cantilever controllers. An appendix in this report shows how to calculate filter coefficients for an optimal controller from measured cantilever characteristics. The controller also includes an input multiplexer and adder used in calibration protocols. Filter coefficients and multiplexer settings can be set and adjusted by control software while an experiment is running. The input is sampled at 64 MHz; the sampling frequency in the filters can be divided down under software control to achieve a good match with filter characterisics. Data reported here were sampled at 500 kHz, chosen for acoustic cantilevers with resonant frequencies near 8 kHz. Inputs are digitized with 12 bits resolution, outputs with 14 bits. The experiment software is organized as a client and server to make it easy to adapt the controller to different experiments. The server encapusulates the details of controller hardware organization, connection technology, filter architecture, and number representation. The same server could be used in any experiment, while a different client encodes the particulars of each experiment., Comment: submitted to Review of Scientific Instruments

This article presents numerical recipes for simulating high-temperature and non-equilibrium quantum spin systems that are continuously measured and controlled. The notion of a spin system is broadly conceived, in order to encompass macroscopic test masses as the limiting case of large-j spins. The simulation technique has three stages: first the deliberate introduction of noise into the simulation, then the conversion of that noise into an equivalent continuous measurement and control process, and finally, projection of the trajectory onto a state-space manifold having reduced dimensionality and possessing a Kahler potential of multi-linear form. The resulting simulation formalism is used to construct a positive P-representation for the thermal density matrix. Single-spin detection by magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) is simulated, and the data statistics are shown to be those of a random telegraph signal with additive white noise. Larger-scale spin-dust models are simulated, having no spatial symmetry and no spatial ordering; the high-fidelity projection of numerically computed quantum trajectories onto low-dimensionality Kahler state-space manifolds is demonstrated. The reconstruction of quantum trajectories from sparse random projections is demonstrated, the onset of Donoho-Stodden breakdown at the Candes-Tao sparsity limit is observed, a deterministic construction for sampling matrices is given, and methods for quantum state optimization by Dantzig selection are given., Comment: 104 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables

A positive P-representation for the spin-j thermal density matrix is given in closed form. The representation is constructed by regarding the wave function as the internal state of a closed-loop control system. A continuous interferometric measurement process is proved to einselect coherent states, and feedback control is proved to be equivalent to a thermal reservoir. Ito equations are derived, and the P-representation is obtained from a Fokker-Planck equation. Langevin equations are derived, and the force noise is shown to be the Hilbert transform of the measurement noise. The formalism is applied to magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM) and gravity wave (GW) interferometry. Some unsolved problems relating to drift and diffusion on Hilbert spaces are noted., Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett

It is predicted that in force microscopy the quantum fluctuations responsible for the Casimir force can be directly observed as temperature-independent force fluctuations having spectral density $9\pi/(40\ln(4/e)) \hbar \delta k$, where $\hbar$ is Planck's constant and $\delta k$ is the observed change in spring constant as the microscope tip approaches a sample. For typical operating parameters the predicted force noise is of order $10^{-18}$ Newton in one Hertz of bandwidth. The Second Law is respected via the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. For small tip-sample separations the cantilever damping is predicted to increase as temperature is reduced, a behavior that is reminiscent of the Kondo effect., Comment: Revised as submitted to PRL: (a) the predicted fluctuations are 8% larger, due to the correction of a minor algebraic error, (b) additional physical motivation is provided at each step of the calculation, (c) the figure is nicer. RevTeX, four pages, one embedded figure, uses epsf.sty