Robert F. O'Connell
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

Quantum Optics, Atomic Physics, Stochastic Physics,
General Relativity

Office: 225 Nicholson
Telephone: 6848-Office
E-mail:

Personal Home Page

RESEARCH INTERESTS

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). Also, I collaborate with Tony Dorlas (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies) on studies of entanglement in quantum systems.

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, "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, "Anomalous diffusion in quantum Brownian motion with colored noise," Phys. Rev. A 73, 032103 (2006).

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

• R. F. O'Connell, "A Note on Frame Dragging," Class. Quant. Grav. 22, 3815 (2005).

• R. F. O'Connell,"Proposed New Test of Spin Effects in General Relativity," Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 081103 (2004).

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