Robert F. O'Connell, PhD
Robert F. O'Connell, Ph.D.

Robert F. O'Connell, PhD, DSC
Boyd Professor and Professor of Physics

B.Sc., 1953 - National University of Ireland, Galway
Ph.D., 1962 - University of Notre Dame
D.Sc., 1975 - National University of Ireland

Louisiana State University
Department of Physics & Astronomy
225 Nicholson Hall, Tower Dr.
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-4001
(225) 578-6848-Office

Personal Home Page

Research Interests

Quantum Optics, Atomic Physics, Stochastic Physics,
General Relativity

For many years and with a variety of collaborators, especially G. W. Ford (University of Michigan), I have been studying dissipative and fluctuation phenomena in quantum mechanics and related applications. During the past five years, our emphasis has been on fundamental questions in quantum theory with special emphasis on decoherence, entanglement and superposition (Schrödinger cat) states particularly pertaining to the areas of quantum measurement, information, teleportation, cryptography and computation, as well as the quantum-classical interface. More recently, we have been studying fundamental questions relating to measurement of quantum probability distribution functions with potential applications to a wide variety of nano and quantum information systems, with emphasis on how their entanglement properties vary with time. In addition, we are using the generalized quantum Langevin equation to explore recent topical questions in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics (particularly claims that the fundamental laws of thermodynamics may be violated in the quantum regime).

Motivated by the discovery of a unique double pulsar system, I have recently returned to a serious study of an area in which I worked for many years viz. spin effects in gravitational theory.

Current and Selected Publications

  • R. F. O'Connell, "Gravito-Magnetism in one-body and two-body systems: Theory and Experiment," in "Atom Optics and Space Physics," Proc. of Course CLXVIII of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi", Varenna, Italy, 2007, ed. E. Arimondo, W. Ertmer and W. Schleich (IOS, Amsterdam, 2009).

  • R. F. O'Connell, "The Wigner Distribution," in "Compendium of Quantum Mechanics," edited by D. Greenberger, B. Falkenburg, K. Hentschel and F. Weinert, (Springer, New York, 2009).

  • G. W. Ford and R. F. O'Connell, "Measured quantum probability distribution functions for Brownian motion," Phys. Rev. A 73, 032103 (2007).

  • R. F. O'Connell, "The expansion of the universe and the cosmological constant problem," Phys. Lett. A 366, 177 (2007).

  • R. F. O'Connell, "Does the Third Law of Thermodynamics hold in the Quantum Regime?," J. Stat. Phys. 124, 15 (2006).

  • G. W. Ford and R. F. O'Connell, "A Quantum Violation of the Second Law," Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 020402 (2006).