Science Blog by Yutaka Shikano

Cleverest Maxwell's demon

2011-11-07T01:36:00.002+09:00

I wrote the paper on the resolution of the Maxwell's demon paradox with Akio Hosoya and Koji Maruyama. If the demon is clever, the demon does the data compression before erasing his memory. From the viewpoint of the relation between physical and information-theoretical entropies, we showed that the cleverest Maxwell's demon does the data compression before erasing his memory and the resolution of the Maxwell's demon paradox in the context of the asymmetric Szilard engine. Our result gives us the insight how to define the physical entropy.http://arxiv.org/abs/1110.4732

International Workshop on Theoretical Aspects of the Discrete Time Quantum Walk

2011-06-16T03:02:00.001+09:00

I am very happy to announce the following workshop on the discrete time quantum walk held at Valentia in Spain. This workshop inherent the original concept of the canceled workshop at Tokyo in the end of March. If you are interested in this, please join us.

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Title: International Workshop on Theoretical Aspects of the Discrete Time Quantum Walk
http://ific.uv.es/~perez/DTQW_Valencia.html

Date: November 7-10, 2011
Place: Instituto de Fi'sica Corpuscular, Valencia, Spain

Aim:
What are probability and stochastic processes in Quantum Mechanics? To study the foundations of stochastic processes in Quantum Mechanics, the discrete time quantum walk (DTQW), which is the quantum analogue of the classical random walk, may be useful. This has recently been a hot research field, especially in quantum information science, and has been experimentally realized. This workshop will bring the theoretical researchers in the DTQW. While this workshop is focused on the theoretical side, we also welcome experimentalists. The organizers strongly encourage young researchers to actively join us to this workshop.

Workshop Scopes:
1. Proposals on Physical Realizations of the DTQW
2. Asymptotic Behavior of DTQW
3. Decoherence in the DTQW
4. Applications to Quantum Information Science

Invited Speakers:
Frederick W. Strauch (Williams College, USA)
Takuya Kitagawa (Harvard University, USA)

Important Date:
Deadline of the abstract submission for the oral presentation: September 1st.

Abstract Submission:
Please send your abstract either to Yutaka Shikano
(shikano-at-th.phys.titech.ac.jp)) or to Armando Perez
(armando.perez-at-uv.es) by e-mail (you have to replace -at- by @).
Abstract can not be more than 2 pages long.

The abstract template is put in http://ific.uv.es/%7Eperez/template.tex

Registration:
To register please send an e-mail to Yutaka Shikano (shikano-at-th.phys.titech.ac.jp)) or to Armando Perez (armando.perez-at-uv.es) by e-mail (you have to replace -at- by @). While the speakers of this workshop are theoreticians, we also welcome experimentalists and interested reaserchers about DTQW.
Due to our budget limitation, the final number of participants will be
restricted to 30 people.

Organizers:
Armando Perez (Departamento de Fisica Teorica and IFIC, Universidad de Valencia/CSIC)
Yutaka Shikano (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Eugenio Rolda'n (Departamento de O'ptica, Universidad de Valencia)
Mari Carmen Ban~uls (Max-Planck-Institut fur Quantenoptik, Garching)

Scientific Secretary:
M. Hinarejos (Departamento de Fisica Teorica and IFIC, Universidad de Valencia/CSIC)

Sponsors:
IFIC (UVEG/CSIC)
Departamento de Fi'sica Teo'rica, Universidad de Valencia
PROMETEO/2009-128, Generalitat Valenciana
Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation

Inqueries to:
Yutaka Shikano (shikano-at-th.phys.titech.ac.jp)) or to Armando Perez (armando.perez-at-uv.es) by e-mail (you have to replace -at- by @).

Next Step

2011-04-01T05:03:00.000+09:00

On March 11st, 2011, there occurred the unforgotten disasters in Northeast Japan. There were the big earthquakes,

the big Tsunami,

the nuclear power plant problems in Fukushima,

Of course, we have to recover this situation as soon as possible cooperated by many friends around the world.

However, we have to go on the next direction. Around me, I am still in the academic sector in Japan. The academical issues, for examples, the classes and the researches, has to be changed at the next step. I would like to prepare the next-stage action plan motivated by these serious disasters. I think that the Japanese cannot return the situations before March 11st. I stongly believe that we shall go on the next paradigm.

The spring is coming. The cherry blossom is opening. These are indicated to the coming new age. Furthermore, people lived in Kanto area will face to the problems on the serious lack of the electrical power.

Let's consider the next paradigm around at least the academic sector.

Multi-particle Quantum Walk with trapped cite

2011-03-06T06:01:00.000+09:00

The New Journal of Physics accepted our manuscript

Survival probability in a one-dimensional quantum walk on a trapped lattice
Authors: Meltem Gonulol, Ekrem Aydiner, Yutaka Shikano, Ozgur E. Mustecaplioglu
arXiv:1008.0085

on the discrete time quantum walk of the non-interacting many particle walker with the trapped cites on the N-cycle.

The survival probability is the exponentially decayed. Our paper shows that there is transition time for the order of the exponent of the survival probability from numerics. Furthermore, this order can be fitted to the analytical solution.

[Re-Annoucement] Workshop on the Discrete Time Quantum Walk at Tokyo on March, 2011

2010-12-03T03:59:00.000+09:00

The invited speakers are confirmed. Also, the deadline will be soon!! You can submit it from http://www.th.phys.titech.ac.jp/cgi-bin/dtqw/regist.cgi?lang=en . I am looking forward to your contribution.

--------
Title: International Workshop on Mathematical and Physical Foundations of Discrete Time Quantum Walk
http://www.th.phys.titech.ac.jp/~shikano/dtqw/

Date: March 29th - 30th, 2011
Place: Tokyo Institute of Technology Oh-okayama Campus, Tokyo, Japan
http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/about/campus/index.html

Aim:
What is probability and stochastic process in quantum mechanics? To study the foundations of the stochastic process in quantum mechanics, the discrete time quantum walk (DTQW), which is a quantum analogue of the random walk, may be useful. This has recently been the hot research field, especially in quantum information science, and been experimentally realized. This workshop will bring the theoretical researchers in the DTQW. While this workshop is focused on the theoretical side, we also welcome experimentalists. We take the advantages of special opportunities to invite founders of DTQW. The organizers strongly encourage young researchers to actively join us to this workshop.

Workshop Scopes:
1. Mathematical Foundations of Discrete Time Quantum Walk
1-1. Stochastic Process in Quantum Probability Theory
1-2. Weak Limit Theorem
1-3. Classification between Localization and Delocalization
2. Physical Foundations of Discrete Time Quantum Walk
2-1. Mapped to Schroedinger equation and Dirac equation
2-2. Non-local effect, entanglement, and super-oscillation
2-3. Application to Quantum Information Science

Important Dates:
Oral Contribution (8 slots): December 31th, 2010.
Poster Contribution (20 slots): February 28th, 2011.
The participants will be limited to 70 people.

Invited Speaker:
Yakir Aharonov (Tel-Aviv University, Israel / Chapman University, USA)
Viacheslav Belavkin (University of Nottingham, UK)
Luis Velazquez (Zaragoza University, Spain)
Takuya Kitagawa (Harvard University, USA)

Organizers:
Norio Konno (Yokohama National University)
Etsuo Segawa (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Yutaka Shikano (Tokyo Institute of Technology / Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chair)

[Annoucement] Application to Perimeter Scholars International (PSI)

2010-11-29T06:45:00.000+09:00

This course is master-level lectures for a 10 month to innovative the ability for studying the theoretical physics at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI). This course has the similar concept of the Part 3 at University of Cambridge. However, I think that this unique opportunity is very international.

In fact, I went to PI to give a talk at Quantum Information Group Seminar??? last week. My talk can be seen in the following website on the counter-factual process in quantum mechanics to be characterized by the weak value.
http://pirsa.org/10110078

I attach more details in the following email from PSI.
---
Canada’s Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (PI), in partnership with the University of Waterloo, welcomes applications to the Master's level course, Perimeter Scholars International (PSI). Exceptional students with an undergraduate honours degree in Physics, Math, Engineering or Computer Science are encouraged to apply. Students must have a minimum of 3 upper level undergraduate or graduate courses in physics. PSI recruits a diverse group of students and especially encourages applications from qualified women candidates. The due date for applications to PSI is February 1st, 2011. Complete details are available at www.perimeterscholars.org.

Additional information appears below in this email. Thank you in advance for sharing this news with students who may benefit from this opportunity.

Additional Information:
Perimeter Scholars International (PSI) is a 10-month intensive Master’s level course at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, a leading international research centre in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. PSI is designed to prepare outstanding students from around the world for cutting edge research. Graduates receive a Master’s Degree in Physics from the University of Waterloo and a Perimeter Scholars International Certificate from Perimeter Institute.

The 2010-2011 Faculty include:
Nima Arkani-Hamed - Institute for Advanced Study
Carl Bender - Washington University
John Berlinsky – Perimeter Institute
Latham Boyle – Perimeter Institute
Freddy Cachazo - Perimeter Institute
Matt Choptuik - University of British Columbia
David Cory – Perimeter Institute and Institute for Quantum Computing
Kari Dalnoki-Veress - McMaster University
François David - Institut de Physique Théorique, CEA-Saclay
Jaume Gomis - Perimeter Institute
Daniel Gottesman - Perimeter Institute
Ruth Gregory - Durham University
Leo Kadanoff - University of Chicago
Luis Lehner - Perimeter Institute and University of Guelph
Renate Loll - Universiteit Utrecht
Tamar Pereg-Barnea - Caltech
Malcolm Perry - Cambridge University
Michael Peskin - SLAC
Frans Pretorius - Princeton University
Veronica Sanz, York University
Ben Schumacher – Kenyon College
Philip Schuster – Perimeter Institute
Sarah Shandera – Perimeter Institute
Erik Sorensen - McMaster University
Robert Spekkens - Perimeter Institute
Andrew Tolley – Case Western Reserve University
Natalia Toro – Perimeter Institute
Neil Turok – Perimeter Institute
Pedro Vieira – Perimeter Institute
Konstantin Zarembo – NORDITA

Full scholarships are available. The application deadline is February 1st, 2011. Complete details are online at www.perimeterscholars.org.

Contact Information:

PSI Program inquiries can be directed to John Berlinsky, PSI Director, at psi@perimeterinstitute.ca

With best regards,

John Berlinsky
PSI Director
Perimeter Institute
psi@perimeterinstitute.ca

[Annoucement] Workshop on the Discrete Time Quantum Walk at Tokyo on March, 2011

2010-10-26T11:51:00.002+09:00

Now, I am organizing the following workshop. If you are interested in this, please check it!!

The theme of this workshop is the "discrete time quantum walk". It will be held at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Japan from March 29 to 30, 2011.

--------------------------------------------------
Title: International Workshop on Mathematical and Physical Foundations of Discrete Time Quantum Walk
http://www.th.phys.titech.ac.jp/~shikano/dtqw/

Date: March 29th - 30th, 2011
Place: Tokyo Institute of Technology Oh-okayama Campus, Tokyo, Japan
http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/about/campus/index.html

Aim:
What is probability and stochastic process in quantum mechanics? To study the foundations of the stochastic process in quantum mechanics, the discrete time quantum walk (DTQW), which is a quantum analogue of the random walk, may be useful. This has recently been the hot research field, especially in quantum information science, and been experimentally realized. This workshop will bring the theoretical researchers in the DTQW. While this workshop is focused on the theoretical side, we also welcome experimentalists. We take the advantages of special opportunities to invite founders of DTQW. The organizers strongly encourage young researchers to actively join us to this workshop.

Workshop Scopes:
1. Mathematical Foundations of Discrete Time Quantum Walk
1-1. Stochastic Process in Quantum Probability Theory
1-2. Weak Limit Theorem
1-3. Classification between Localization and Delocalization
2. Physical Foundations of Discrete Time Quantum Walk
2-1. Mapped to Schroedinger equation and Dirac equation
2-2. Non-local effect, entanglement, and super-oscillation
2-3. Application to Quantum Information Science

Invited Speaker:
Yakir Aharonov (Tel-Aviv University, Israel / Chapman University, USA)
Luis Velazquez (Zaragoza University, Spain)
Takuya Kitagawa (Harvard University, USA)

Organizers:
Norio Konno (Yokohama National University)
Etsuo Segawa (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Yutaka Shikano (Tokyo Institute of Technology / Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chair)

Quantum Walk with decoherence

2010-09-14T09:24:00.001+09:00

The previous study is to show the connection the quantum walk with decoherence to the arrow of time and randomness using the crossover between the quantum and random walk in the discrete time case.

Y. Shikano, K. Chisaki, E. Segawa, and N. Konno, Emergence of Randomness and Arrow of Time in Quantum Walks, Physical Review A 81, 062129 (2010). DOI:10.1103/PhysRevA.81.062129 e-Print: arXiv:1001.3989

Today, we will upload the recent result on the arXiv.

K. Chisaki, N. Konno, E. Segawa, and Y. Shikano, arXiv:1009.2131.

In this paper, we showed the asymptotic behavior of the continuous time quantum walk, which is a discrete Schrodinger equation, the discrete time random walk, the continuous time random walk, and the lazy random walk from the discrete time quantum walk with position measurements and the finial time dependent coin.

New perspective on the weak measurement

2010-08-02T13:46:00.000+09:00

I uploaded the paper on the recent work in collaboration with Shu Tanaka (Kinki University, Japan)

http://arxiv.org/abs/1007.5370

In the above paper, we point out that the weak measurement initiated by Yakir Aharonov and his collaborators can be taken as the quantum process tomography. While there are many methods of the quantum process tomography, this is a concrete example. I believe that the advantage on our proposal is just only use of the short time evolution, that is, the evaluated parameter may be protected from decoherence. This point is a new viewpoint on the weak measurement. Despite its naming, this tool might be useful to consider new phenomena in quantum world!! I hope that our recent work is an example. When you are interested in this, please read it!!

http://arxiv.org/abs/1007.5370

See-D Contest

2010-08-02T13:21:00.002+09:00

The spin-off project on a innovative challenge of technology is

"See-D contest"

operated by Kopernik in collaboration with D-Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, enmono, ETIC., i.school at University of Tokyo, Music Securities Inc., and Nippon Foundation.

This is a really cool challenge but a difficult way. When you have a time, please see it!!

Strange Weak Values???

2010-07-25T23:02:00.005+09:00

What is the weak value?? I study this stuff with Akio Hosoya (Tokyo Tech). We would like to say that the weak value theory is consistent with the conventional quantum mechanics but it is very useful to describe the quantum theory. The first paper on this stuff was published in Journal of Physics A.

http://arxiv.org/abs/0812.4502

Our recent publication is to study this consistency in

http://arxiv.org/abs/1006.1615

In the recent paper, we analyzed the Hardy paradox. Why should we resolve this paradox using the weak value? Then, we would like to emphasize that the weak value is testable whether this experimental setup is desired or not.

Localization of Inhomogeneous Quantum Walk

2010-05-07T08:08:00.002+09:00

I uploaded our recent work on the localization of inhomogeneous quantum walks on the arXiv with Hosho Katsura (UCSB).

arXiv:1004.5394

Please see the abstract in the following:
We introduce and study a class of discrete-time quantum walks on a one-dimensional lattice. In contrast to the standard homogeneous quantum walks, coin operators are inhomogeneous and depend on their positions in this class of models. The models are shown to be self-dual with respect to the Fourier transform, which is analogous to the Aubry-Andr\'e model describing the one-dimensional tight-binding model with a quasi-periodic potential. When the period of coin operators is incommensurate to the lattice spacing, we rigorously show that the limit distribution of the quantum walk is localized at the origin. We also numerically study the eigenvalues of the one-step time evolution operator and find the Hofstadter butterfly spectrum which indicates the fractal nature of this class of quantum walks.

Change Our Thinking!!

2010-03-13T22:42:00.003+09:00

I think that the Japanese universities need change the mind due to survive in the global agenda. My friends are organizing the following symposium as the first step to change the mind. I support this movement and the organization. Please remember the mind!!

----------------------
[SYMPOSIUM] "University x Technology x BOP" - Innovations that will change the world from Japan!

Capacity building in developing countries is one of the enormous challenges we face this century. Despite the prosperity of developed nations like the US, Japan, and European countries, we cannot ignore the fact that 1.6 billions people still do not have access to safe drinking water, and most of them live on less than $1 per day. The fight against poverty and hunger is the challenge for the entire global citizen — the impoverished will suffer the most if effective policies and plans are not put in place.

Technology has a great power to dramatically help poverty alleviation, and universities can play a major role in creating new technologies. Especially, cost-effective and user-centered technologies (also known as appropriate technologies) can provide affordable and reliable tools for capacity building in many areas. The projects on appropriate technologies are beneficial in many ways; the programs help the poor, but also help to improve the design process and education programs in developed countries through hands-on experience, real-world experience, and human-centered designs.

This one day workshop will introduce some of the leading projects in Japan on international development and appropriate technologies. You will also learn the projects at one of the leading universities in the US, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). José Gómez-Márquez and Ken Endo from MIT D-Lab will speak about their projects on improving the quality of life of low-income households through the creation and implementation of low cost technologies.

-----
DATE:

March 20, 2010 (Sat)

LOCATION:

National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), 1st Floor Sokairou Hall

Click here for the access information

http://www.grips.ac.jp/about/access.html

REGISTRATION:

Click here to registrar online

http://sites.google.com/site/dlabjapan/application/moushikomi-fomu

+ Registration for the Symposium is limited to 250 people and available on a first come, first serve basis.

AGENDA:

[ Morning Session (10:00 - 12:00) ]

Opening session

+ Keynote Speech - William H. Saito (CEO, Intecur K.K.) - English

+ Overview of engineering design projects in the US top universities - Shan Riku (Harvard Kennedy School)

MIT D-Lab

Moderator: Shan Riku (Harvard Kennedy School)

+ D-Lab General Overview - José Gómez-Márquez and Ken Endo (MIT) - English

+ D-Lab Health - José Gómez-Márquez (MIT) - English

+ D-Lab Developing World Prosthetics - Ken Endo (MIT)

[Lunch Break (12:00 - 13:00)]

[Afternoon Session (13:00 - 17:00)]

Projects from Japanese Universities

Moderator: Jun-ichi Takata (Tokyo Institute of Technology)

+ Egypt- Japan University of Science and Technology - Ramesh Pokharel (Kyushu University) - English

+ ICT innovation in Bangladesh - Ashir Ahamed (Kyushu University) - English

+ ICU Service Learning Center - Yoshikazu Hongo (International Christian University)

Projects from Japanese Industry

Moderator: Masakazu Okada (Keio Business School)

+ Solar Irrigation Electric Vehicles in South Asia - Naoto Kanehira (Major consulting firm)

+ GAIA Solar Lantern Project - Chikako Fujita (GAIA Initiative)

+ Product development for BOP through user innovation - Kohei Nishiyama (Elephant Design)

+ Water processing for BOP - Kanetoshi Oda (Nippon Poly Gul)

Closing Session

+ Plenary Speech - Kiyoshi Kurokawa (GRIPS)

+ Closing Remarks

My work

2009-12-12T10:30:00.002+09:00

Weak Values with Decoherence written by Yutaka Shikano and Akio Hosoya was accepted by the Journal of Physics A published by Institute of Physics, UK and was published online. The aim of this work is to find the formal expression and formalism on the weak value initiated by Yakir Aharonov and his collaborators. The beginning of this work was to know the Richard Jozsa work on the formal expression on the weak measurement two years ago. We are excited on working this work to study the properties on the weak value. At least, I enjoyed working this stuff. Since we study many related works, in the introduction of our paper, we reviewed the concept and meaning of the weak values. I hope that the reader also enjoys.

Future of Science in Japan

2009-11-14T05:15:00.003+09:00

Today, the special teams in the Japanese Government reviewed the plan for the fundamental science. Almost all plans on the fundamental science, for instance, the huge grants of the Global Center of Excellence (GCOE), which are distributed to the departments, and the young researchers in the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, were cut down. I think that this decision pulled the trigger to destroy the fundamental science. This is because they claimed that there were NOT the "visualized" results and contributions for Japan in these plans.

It is extremly difficult for the fundamental sciences to directly contribute to our lifes. We, fundamental scientists, "indirectly" fill up our intellectual curisity. What will be the future of Japan?? Without the development of the fundamental science, our life cannot improve for a long term.

We, especially young researchers, may be confused by this decision. Some colleagues may be retired near the future to be lack of money. Of course, I am afraid of this situation. Furthermore, if young researchers leave the fundamental scientific field, the future of Japan will not develop.

While I am not in Japan, this decision has a power for me.

Wish to the best way to go to the "right" direction.

Science Universal???

2009-10-31T06:21:00.003+09:00

I am thinking about the global collaboration of scientific activities. Recently, I faced the following problem;

"Are the methods of the scientific activities universal?"

"Is how to explore the scientific field unique?"

At least, I think that there must be many style and minds of the scientific activities. This is because to explore the scientific field is diverged and needs broader the activities. Therefore, we need the different views. However, to have the various views leads to the inefficient situation. The scientists, especially younger scientists, is needed the speed-up activities. Therefore, there occurs the monochromatic view in the research field. What should we solve this dilemma? Otherwise, should we not consider such problems?

Magnetism in a Gas

2009-09-19T10:42:00.003+09:00

Citation: MIT news: Magnetism observed in a gas for the first time.

Ketterle's group has experimentally demonstrated the magnetism in a gas similar to one of nickle and iron. This group used the fermion lithum-6 below 1K and observed the ferromagnetic behavior. This result opened the new field for the cold atom research field. Almost all researchers will begin to study other fermion such like having studied the Bose-Einstein condensation. This evidence is so strong!!

Young Innovators

2009-08-25T06:54:00.003+09:00

3 from MIT among Technology Reviews' top Young Innovators

Reading the MIT news, I am interested in the above news. 3 young researchers under the age of 35 in MIT are selected from the Technology Review as the young innovators.

Their studies are very interesting and important for us. Especially, the Jose work is to promote understanding the manner of technology by promoting the practical medical devices in poor countries. Recently, the role of technology is being changed. Such like the Jose work, the innovation is not to use the high-technology but to change our mind. To promote the concept of the innovation, we have to learn each situations too well. I hope that such "true" innovation is occurred near future.

Young Innovators in MIT

2009-08-25T06:51:00.001+09:00

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2009/tr35-0818.html

Move to MIT

2009-08-02T00:39:00.003+09:00

I move to MIT as the visiting student. I started the Boston life but have not yet rent my housing and have to do a lot. When you have useful information on the Boston life, please teach me!!

Great Fun!! Music!!

2009-07-01T22:53:00.003+09:00

I am travelling to Europe now. I went to London, Bristol in UK, Prague, Olomouc in Czech, Vienna, Milan, and Pavia in Italy. Now, I stay Pavia. Everywhere, some reserachers discuss some topic on quantum foundations and quantum information processing with me. I am very happy to discuss the world-wide researchers.

Furthermore, I feel the important communication tool to music. Listening to music at the same place, music has the great potential to become very happy for everyone even if we cannot communicate in some language.

In this travel, I feel the importance of human contacts. So that, I will travel this somewhere. Wherever there is music, music is some commucation tool instad of language. I love music. To consider the deep concept, I need some music. I hope music is much more broadcasting all over the world.

Thanks Michael. He changed the world of music. I think almost all people is effected by his music directly or indirectly. Love Michael.

Furthermore, a friend of mine, Takahiro Horiuchi, began to music program in iTunes. Please see the website.
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewIMix?id=321763638&s=143462

Best wishes,
Yutaka

H1N1influenza A and Golden Week

2009-05-03T18:20:00.002+09:00

In Japan, this week is called a golden week and have national holidays. So that the Japanese public services are stopped. However, I listen to many news on the new type flu, which is the H1N1 influenza A from Mexico, every day. While we have to prevent infection from the new type flu, we stop thinking what to do because of the Golden week. What should I do??

Master Thesis

2009-02-07T20:47:00.002+09:00

I'm writing the master thesis on weak values in quantum measurement theory. Now, the deadline is next Monday. I have to finish writing this by next Monday. After that, I will upload the blogs.

Cide

2009-01-24T17:48:00.002+09:00

See the movie.

About this, I want not to add my comment. See and imagine. I would thank to my friend, Hiroshi Yamaguchi.

D-Wave

2009-01-19T00:11:00.003+09:00

I first met the researcher belonged to the D-Wave, which is a private company to promote to the research on quantum computing located in Canada. This company released the world's first demonstrations of 28-qubits quantum operations using the superconducting qubit but did not show the sufficient evidence to us. I thought the strange company but changed the company image and the original idea on the realization of the quantum computer, which is using the d-wave of the superconductor, seemed doubtful. The researcher work is based on the noise analysis on the flux qubit system is different from the original idea. The noise detection for the flux qubit is very interesting and needs very high technique. That is D-wave has the very high experimental techniques and the interesting theoretical idea on flux qubits to realize the quantum computer.

There's probably No God

2009-01-11T10:09:00.002+09:00

In London, the public transports campaigns as follows. The campaign's theme is "There's Probably No GOD. Now Stop Warring and Enjoy Your Life." It's very interesting to insert "probably". This campaign helps us be happy!?

Mo-99 Problem

2008-12-29T03:01:00.005+09:00

Big Problem!!

Molybdenum is a silvery-white, hard, transition metal. Scheele discovered it in 1778. It was often confused with graphite and lead ore. The most widely used isotope in nuclear medicine is Technetium-99m. Molybdenum-99 is used as the 'parent' in a generator to produce Technetium-99m as the beta decay. This is because Technetium-99m has the proper life time, 6.0 hours and Molybdenum-99 66.02 hours . Molybdenum-99 is artificially produced by irradiating U-235 foil with neutrons and then separating the molybdenum from the other fission products in a hot cell, that is, this is produced in the nuclear power plant. While there is some nuclear power plants, Molybdenum-99 has not been produced. In Japan, the government mainly inports this from Canada via the specified airplane. However, Canadian nuclear power plant was wrong and decided to be destroyed by Canadian government. The lack of molybdenum is the one of the global issues. Are there some ways to produce Molybdenum-99? I, the one of physicists, that physicists should consider this problem and have big chances to link the social problem!!

New Paper

2008-12-25T16:45:00.005+09:00

I put the original paper with Akio Hosoya about foundations of quantum mechanics, especially quantum measurement theory to arXiv as the Christmas gift from me. In our paper, we have proposed a new framework about weak values included in quantum measurement theory such like the Kraus representation of the completely positive map (CP map). We have shown decoherence effects of weak values during the weak measurement. We hope that the weak values help us understand fundamental concepts of quantum mechanics.

When you are interested in this, please access here. Furthermore, when you have questions and comments about our paper, please send these to me (See here about my contact address).

Merry X'mas!!!

Big Chance!?

2008-12-10T18:06:00.003+09:00

I think that the current economic crisis gives us big chances since the direction of the world has been lost. The chaotic situation is unstable and helps destroy the current position. After that, we have to build up new frameworks and criteria. Young people have a potential to lead to build up its construction. Now, young people does not have a power to change the situation. But I think that the world destroys itself. I think that we have to prepare building up the next frameworks and criteria. What do you think about it?

My Schedule

2008-12-08T06:18:00.003+09:00

I'm sorry that I have been silent for a long time. While Micheal seems so busy, he always uploads his blog. I think he is a superman. He starts a new project about the Google. I think that his lecture about the Google technology is very clear and his project is very interesting. I hope that this goees well.

Now, I'm writing the paper about the quantum measurement theory and have to write the master thesis by the beginning of next Feburaray. Fortunatelly, I take many seminars somewhere as follows.

Dec. 14th, "Introduction to General Relativity"at Seminars about Fundamental Physics at Hakane.
Jan. 6th, "Weak Values in Quantum Measurement Theory -Concepts and Applications-"at NEC Co. Nano-Electronics Lab. at Tsukuba.
Feb. 9th, Deadline of the Master thesis at Tokyo Insititute of Technology.
Feb. 16th, Presentation for Master Thesis at Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Feb. 25th - Mar. 1st, Spring School on Quantum Infromation Scince at Kawawatari Spring, Miyagi.
Mar. 4th-6th, "Stochastic Process in Quantum Mechanics" The 5th Mathmatical Conference on Young Researcher at Hokkaido University.
Mar. 27th-30th, "Quantum Operations for Weak Values" JPSJ Annual Meeting at Rikkyo University.

If you are interested in my talk schedule, please contact me!!

Noble Prize in Physics

2008-10-16T23:33:00.003+09:00

This year, the Noble prize winner in Physics are Prof. Nambu, Prof. Kobayashi, and Prof. Masukawa. Prof. Nambu discovered the mechanism of spontaneous broken symmetry in subatomic physics. I think that Prof. Nambu win the Nobel Prize in Physics with Prof. Goldstone since we use the Nambu-Goldstone mode in many fields of physics. This discovery especially advances the fundamental properties of particle physics and superconductor. Prof. Kobayashi and Prof. Masukawa discovered the origin of the broken symmetry which predicts the existence of at least three families of quarks in nature, that is called Kobayashi-Masukawa matrix. They introduced the third-age quark and we experimentally discovered. This year, the Large Hadron Collider, LHC, was begun but now stopped for two months in order to be wrong to be liquid Helium in the beam line. For the Japanese, this news is very lucky since the global financial market is being destroyed now. I also am very happy to study physics in Japan. Conguratuation!!!

I come back to Canada.

2008-08-20T21:38:00.003+09:00

Now, I'm in Calgary, Canada. Here is very nice place. The reason why I'm here is to attend the international meeting, QCMC2008, about qunatum information science and technology. I will spend a six day to stay here. I will go the next conference in Korea. I'm looking forward to seeing somebody and discussing various topics with some participants here. Now I prepare to write the column about science education and future science motivated by Dr. Ken Ito, Dr. Kiyoshi Kurokawa , Dr. Hiroaki Kitano and Dr. Michael Nielsen. Coming soon.

Earthquakes

2008-07-25T06:59:00.002+09:00

In Japan, there occurred two big earthquakes in the north area of Japan. Two big earthquakes are different types of mechanism to produce this. In the one of this, the origin is very shallow and damages are very big but not broad too much. On the other hand, in the other, the origin is very deep and damages are big but broad too much. Especially, in Tokyo, there occurred 2-3 min shakes. What relationship do these have while the government announced no relationship to these.

Quantum Control

2008-07-13T18:15:00.002+09:00

Last Friday, I organized the mini-workshop on quantum control at my university. About 50 researchers joined and discussed 10talks on quantum control. All talks have very high qualities. In this mini-workshop, we sucessfully discuss too much. I understand that there are many fields in quantum control. In this workshop, there are talks in 5 fields,

Quantum Feedback Control
Quantum Filtering Theory <- Classical Control Theory
Adiabatic Quantum Control (Quantum Annealing)
Quantum Brachistochrone Problem
Maxwell's Demon.

http://www.th.phys.titech.ac.jp/~shikano/qc/program.html
I hope that the participants will collaborate to develop quantum control. That's all. Thanks a lot.

Principles of Thermodynamics

2008-07-08T00:09:00.005+09:00

In Japan, there are many textbooks about thermodynamics. But I do not understand this field since this concept is based on macroscopic physics while macroscopic physics is subject to phenomena which we experiment. I think that many textbooks about thermodynamics are out of force based on foundations of mathematical framework and standpoints of the authors. I finished reading the book "Principles of Thermodynamics" written by Akira Shimizu (University of Tokyo, Japan) in Japanese today. In this book, the standspoint of the author is very obvious while there are many footnotes. Furthermore, from the mathematical physics, Hal Tasaki (Gakushuin University, Japan) wrote the book "Thermodynamics" in Japanses which I had finished reading. I want somebody to translate these book to English. Anyone, please teach me a very interesting book about thermodynamics. I also read Callen's book. I am reading the book "Thermodynamique" written by I. Prigogine and D. Kondepudi.

Biological Time v.s. Physical Time

2008-06-29T12:04:00.002+09:00

I read Penrose's book, "The Road to Reality". In this book, he said that there are three world; Plato's mathematical world, physical phenomena, and mental phenomena. Now I am interested in the biological time, e. g. rhythm phenomena in our cells. However, what relation are there to physical time. Anyway, do there exist a concept of physical time in the "actual" world?? As far as I know, we have not obviously shown this relation and our fundamental question. The concept of physical time is well-defined in Plato's mathematical world. In this world, we have known the Wheeler-de Witt equation. We have to define the time for each physical system, which concept seems familiar with quantum gravity and quantum field theory. However, I think that we do not understand the biological time from Plato's world. This is because I think the concept of a biological time is well-defined in mental phenomena since the rhythm phenomena in our cells and our biological system is not well-defined from Plato's world. I think that the system biology is a hot topic in our scientific world and remains unknown phenomena too much.

International Mini-Workshop: Quantum Control Theory

2008-06-14T13:20:00.004+09:00

I prepare the international mini-workshop on theoretical foundations and applications of quantum control. This mini-workshop will bring together researchers in QC to discuss the principles and applications of the field from the theoretical side. While this mini-workshop is focused on the theoretical side, we also welcome experimentalists. We take advantage of the special opportunity of stay of Professor Seth Lloyd of M.I.T. at Tokyo Tech., who is a renowned researcher of this field. The organizers strongly encourage young researchers to actively join us to this mini-workshop. If you are interested in this, please see the below on the details.

http://www.th.phys.titech.ac.jp/~shikano/qc/

Please join us.

About Time

2008-05-31T22:32:00.003+09:00

Recently, I am studying the concept of time in physics or science. I'm interested in the concept of a biological timing. S. Benzer and R. J. Konopca found a new feature of the drosophilidae called the Period in 1960s. In the view of ethology, this kind has the unusual animal behavior with the loss of behavior rythms. This study led to study a concept of time in biology. Now I am studying this. When I understand this, I will report it. If you know something about it, please give me a comment!!

My First Paper

2008-05-09T00:46:00.005+09:00

Akio Hosoya, who is my supervisor in Tokyo Institute of Technology and major at quantum control theory and quantum gravity, and I studied a measurement theory under a stange conditions, a partile on a half line. Our paper shows a sheme to optimally measure a momentum of a particle on a half line in quantum mechanics. While we consider a specific case, it is very interesting for mathematical physicist since half line systems in quantum mechanics have very strange properties, e.g. a momentum is not an observable. Furthermore, this paper shows a sheme to take a projective measurement in the indirect measument context proposed by Masanao Ozawa (Nagoya Univ.) et al.. As far as I know, nobody show a concrete sheme of projective measurement, often called von-Neumann measurement. I think that it is very important to discuss a stuff in a discussion session since there are many applications and perspectives in this paper. When you are interested in this paper, please see below.

(All people can read our paper since it's free while you usually buy the journal article!!)
Yutaka Shikano, Akio Hosoya
Optimal Covariant Measurement of Momentum on a Half Line in Quantum Mechanics
Journal of Mathematical Physics 49, 052104 (2008). DOI:10.1063/1.2917064
e-Print: arXiv:0710.1724

Network Setup

2008-05-04T01:25:00.004+09:00

It is very difficult for me to set up the network in about 50 people. This is because computers is not human and always shows same things. But the computer can never go on forever and will be suddenly broken on the basis of physical stuffs, e.g. HDD and CPU. If computers were such like humans, computers would tell us that they are not well and may be broken near futures. Now I was interested in neural science and making humanity robots. From the view of control science, I think it may be impossible to understand all stuffs. It is very difficult to set indicators and evaluate experimences, especially neural science. Often human thinkings is with uncertainty from the uncertainty principle. I doubt that human activities are subject to quantum theory?? What do you think about it?

Uncertainty Principle

2008-04-29T01:19:00.003+09:00

I'm recently interested in studies of uncertainty principle. I wonder almost all physicists do not read the original paper about the uncertainty principle by Heisenberg in 1927. He did not write inequalities such like the following inequlity Δx Δp >~ h in almost all major textbooks about quantum mechanics. He claimed just only similar equality such like Δx Δp ~ h along showing many examples about the measurement of micro stuffs. Unfortunately, Kennard found the inequalities in 1927. This inequality was developed by Robertson in 1930. In almost all textbooks, this relation is called the uncertainty relation. This is based on the variance of wave functions and is independent on measurement. After that, Ozawa succeeded the combination between Heisenberg's uncertainty and Robertson's one. He defined errors and recoils of measurement in quantum mechanics and found new relation. This is often called Ozawa's inequality. But nobody finds lower bound in physical setup. There are many relationships in uncertainty relationship, e.g. Arthur-Kelly inequality. I believe that there remains serious mysteries in uncertainty relationship in quantum mechanics.

Giants Dead!!

2008-04-14T20:12:00.003+09:00

I heard the following news from my supervisor today. "John A. Wheeler's Dead"
John's great contributions are to derive the Wheeler-de Witt equation in quantum gravity, to promote the foundations of quantum mechanics. Especially I think he contributed to develop quantum information in U.S. since he encouraged Deutsch and Unruh and so on. I want to meet him only first time. His dead may have a impact to develop foundations of quantum mechanics. This year, I think the paradigm change will be changed.

The New York Times Article
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/14/science/14wheeler.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Wheeler&st=nyt&oref=slogin

Job Hunting

2008-04-12T22:03:00.002+09:00

In Japan, almost all third-grade and master-course second-grade university students are hunting for work. In last autumn, job-hunting activities were started for next period starting in April. I think its activities are too early for students and companies. This is because students do not learn their own majored subjects too much and employees cannot properly judge their activities of the university. Since the lerning in university is often worthless for them, they play in univeristy without learning majored subjects too much. So the university is only the place for spending the time before work.

What should we learn in university?? What for do we enter university??

In Japan, these questions are very important. Then I think we have to change the role of education system and job-hunting system.

SciBarCamp at Tokyo

2008-04-03T17:19:00.004+09:00

On the end of March, I came back Japan. I attended two domestic research meetings and will report these near future. In oder to take part in SciBarCamp, I started this blog. I started SciBarCamp at Tokyo. I want to held this this year but have not decided yet. I attach first announcement. I want to go well.

---------
SciBarCamp was held at Toronto, Canada on March 14th through 16th 2008. I joined this event. SciBarCamp is a gathering of scientists, artists, and technologists for a weekend of talks and discussions. The goal is to create connections between science, entrepreneurs and local businesses, and arts and culture. In the tradition of BarCamps, otherwise known as "unconferences", (see BarCamp.org for more information), the program is decided by the participants. SciBarCamp will require active participation; while not everybody will present or lead a discussion, everybody will be expected to contribute substantially - this will help make it a really creative event.

I want to hold the SciBarCamp at Tokyo together someday. In order to come true, we need your idea and action. If you are interested at holding the SciBarCamp at Tokyo someday, let's join us!!

What is a Mathematics?

2008-03-16T10:20:00.003+09:00

This post is related to the proposed session of the same title by Lee Smolin. A simple and first answer is a tool to describe natural and social sciences. Then I consider this topic much more since I think it is very interested and essential topic. My second answer is that a mathematics EXCEPT of probality theory is the above answer and abstrct language. But only a probablity theory is different from other mathematical fields. This is because in only probability theory there exists a difference between mathematical description and interpretation. If we interpret a probability, we need an ensemble, more precisely many events with independent identical distribution. But A event to throw a die is subject to probability theory. Furthermore, in physics quantum mechanics is described by probality theory. But I think there is a difference of a meaning between probability in mathematics and "probabilty" in quantum mechanics context. Furthermore, somebody build up quantum probability theory (Note that I do not tell you whether I support this theory or not.). Do we need an essential meaning of probability theory??

Yutaka

Thank you for your attension

2008-03-16T10:04:00.002+09:00

Dear All SciBarCamp Participants,

Thank you very much for your attension at my talk to denstrate the MIMA-Search and explain the concept of "Beyond re-construction knowledge" this morning. I'm sorry not to express this system too well. But everyone help me and discusss the concept of "beyond re-construction". My talk was suddenly decided and I was afraid for everyone not to understand merits of this system and had tense since I am not good to speak English and have taken the oral presentation in English first time. Thank you so much for your comments and questions. If you use this tool in another database, please propose an application to me and Prof. Hideki Mima. Let's build up the world beyond the re-construction knowledge.

Contact Address:
Prof. Hideki Mima http://www.biz-model.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/users/mima/en/index.html
Me http://www.geocities.jp/shikano_yutaka/e/index.html 0r shikano_@_th.phys.titech.ac.jp (Please change "_@_" to "@" to keep this from spam mails.)

Best wishes,

Yutaka@Canadian Backpackers Inn (Confortable Youth Hostel)

Great!!

2008-03-15T21:29:00.002+09:00

SciBarCamp was started. Last night, everyone propose the session. All sessions are very interested for me. For example, to consider "Quantum Mechanics for 10 years olds" by Daniel Gottesman and "What is a Mathematics" by Lee Smolin and "Space & Time" by Dan Fork and "Can technology make us happy?" by "Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Science" by Eva Amsen. It's GREAT!! GREAT!! GREAT!!!

From now, we will start Saturday session.

MIMA SEARCH DEMO : SciBarCamp

2008-03-14T08:50:00.003+09:00

Tomorrow's Night the SciBarCamp will be started at Toronto. In order to join this event, I will move to Toronto tomorrow. Then I want to take a demonstration of the follows at this if possible.

I want to introduce and demonstrate a useful tool to automatically re-construct and display knowledge on the web. This is called “MIMA (Meta-Information Mining Acceleration)-Search”. This system is developed by Prof. Hideki Mima (University of Tokyo) and based on Java. This system automatically constructs a prepared database corresponded to a given research words using natural language processing and displays the re-constructed results in 2D-display. The relationship between data and the degree are expressed as a line and the thickness. Furthermore, this system automatically analyzes the result data and gathers them as an automatically tagged group. The “MIMA-Search” has put to practice use to a tool to research the lectures in the University of Tokyo and Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Open Course Ware. But I am not interested in only having such tools but am interested when human beings use the tools decently. The concept of re-constructed knowledge, which he calls structure knowledge, is initiated by Hiroshi Komiyama (President, University of Tokyo). He tells us the importance doing re-constructed knowledge but does not tell us the scientific world after doing re-constructed knowledge.

The important thing of doing re-constructed knowledge is not how to do re-construct current knowledge but how to use re-constructed knowledge. I think that the “MIMA search” has a potential to change how to search the desired thing about science. If this system has database of the preprints, for example arXiv, somebody can image new ideas and new problems from the research results. It is easier to consider something from 2-D display by this system than from the column display. Furthermore, somebody may think of an unconscious framework and get unexpected information. I hope that this system will be broadcasted near future and will lead to change paradigm how to search new articles about science and technology. What do you think about it seeing this system?

Reference:

Hideki Mima, Sophia Ananiadou, Katsumori Matsushima, Terminology-based Knowledge Mining for New Knowledge Discovery, ACM Transactions on Asian Language Information Processing (TALIP), Vol.5 (1), pp. 74 - 88, March 2006.

MIMA Search: http://ocw.u-tokyo.ac.jp/english/mima-search/index.html

Japan has a technological superpower???

2008-03-11T12:10:00.002+09:00

When I watched the David special talk at the Opening Symposium of the IPMU, University of Tokyo, I had no choice but to laugh. This is because the video system was very cheap. If you want to confirm it, please see this. This was out of focus and we could not see the slides. I doubt that Japan has a technological superpower. University of Tokyo has the biggest power in Japan and is very famous but its technology was very cheap. Almost all Japanese do not consider the globalization too much, especially in scientific and academic fields.

But,

I believe that Japan has a potential to revive in the world. In order to express the Japanese power to the outsides, I hope that Japanese academic revolution occurs.

Yutaka@Perimeter Institute

SciBarCamp

2008-03-08T11:55:00.003+09:00

The main reason that I begin to write the blog is to join the very interested social event "SciBarCmap" at Toronto. I always read Michael's blog and found the event. He is an advisory member in this event. Since I stay at Perimeter Institute in Canada, I agree with Michael's idea and will take part in the event. I want to join the event as JAPANESE. This is because the diffrence of the nationalities leads to the difference of the roles to create something. I think that participants are very interested in creating something, for example to construct new scinece, to build new technology, to create new music and arts. I think that creating something is related to the nationality and theire own culture. If possible, I want to talk about the relationship between science and the Eastearn culture and philosophy as JAPANESE and a scientist.

Then, the biggest purpose to participate this event is to create such event in Japan. Recently Japanese university students often create a student community. But I think that almost all communitie do not have a power to change the Japan and the world since the purpose of them is no creativity and no idea and is subject to the established procedure. I want to creat NEW things!! Even though they are a student, I believe that they should have a high aim. I want to hold such event together in Japan.

Now, I want to gather your comments about general science AND thechnology. I want to discuss them with you on online. It's OK to write everything, e.g. slgiht questions about scinece. I want to be inspired by discussion with you by SciBarCamp. I will feed back this event.

Yutaka

Start!!

2008-03-08T11:48:00.003+09:00

Nice to meet you. My name is Yutaka Shikano. I'm a Ph.D student in Tokyo Institute of Technology. I begin to write blogs about the general science. Welcome to your comments!!! Let's enjoy science time together.

Yutaka @ Perimeter Institute