Physics and Probability

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Physics and Probability



Cambridge University Presss | ISBN-13: 9780521617109 | English | PDF | 298 Pages | Size: 12.4 MB

The pioneering work of Edwin T. Jaynes in the field of statistical physics, quantum optics, and probability theory has had a significant and lasting effect on the study of many physical problems, ranging from fundamental theoretical questions through to practical applications such as optical image restoration. Physics and Probability is a collection of papers in these areas by some of his many colleagues and former students, based largely on lectures given at a symposium celebrating Jaynes' contributions, on the occasion of his seventieth birthday and retirement as Wayman Crow Professor of Physics at Washington University. The collection contains several authoritative overviews of current research on maximum entropy and quantum optics, where Jaynes' work has been particularly influential, as well as reports on a number of related topics. In the concluding paper, Jaynes looks back over his career, and gives encouragement and sound advice to young scientists. All those engaged in research on any of the topics
discussed in these papers will find this a useful and fascinating collection, and a fitting tribute to an outstanding and innovative scientist.

Table Of Contents

Preface
Recollections of an Independent Thinker 1
A Look Back: Early Applications of Maximum Entropy Estimation to Quantum
Statistical Mechanics 9
The Jaynes-Cummings Revival 15
The Jaynes-Cummings Model and the One-Atom-Maser 33
The Jaynes-Cummings Model is Alive and Well 49
Self-Consistent Radiation Reaction in Quantum Optics - Jaynes' Influence
and a New Example in Cavity QED 63
Enhancing the Index of Refraction in a Nonabsorbing Medium: Phaseonium
Versus a Mixture of Two-Level Atoms 73
Ed Jaynes' Steak Dinner Problem II 81
Source Theory of Vacuum Field Effects 91
The Natural Line Shape 101
An Operational Approach to Schrodinger's Cat 113
The Classical Limit of an Atom 117
Mutual Radiation Reaction in Spontaneous Emission 127
A Model of Neutron Star Dynamics 137
The Kinematic Origin of Complex Wave Functions 153
On Radar Target Identification 161
On the Difference in Means 177
Bayesian Analysis, Model Selection and Prediction 195
Bayesian Numerical Analysis 207
Quantum Statistical Inference 223
Application of the Maximum Entropy Principle to Nonlinear Systems Far
from Equilibrium 239
Nonequilibrium Statistical Mechanics 251
A Backward Look to the Future 261
Appendix: Vita and Bibliography of Edwin T. Jaynes 277
Index 283


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