Information entropy and temperature of binary Markov chains.

We propose two different approaches for introducing the information temperature of binary Nth-order Markov chains. The first approach is based on a comparison of Markov sequences with equilibrium Ising chains at given temperatures. The second approach uses probabilities of finite-length subsequences of symbols occurring, which determine their entropies. The derivative of the entropy with respect to the energy gives the information temperature measured on the scale of introduced energy. For the case of a nearest-neighbor spin-symbol interaction, both approaches give similar results. However, the method based on the correspondence of the N-step Markov and Ising chains appears to be very cumbersome for N>3. We also introduce the information temperature for the weakly correlated one-parametric Markov chains and present results for the stepwise and power memory functions. An application of the developed method to obtain the information temperature of some literary texts is given.

Memory-dependent noise-induced resonance and diffusion in non-Markovian systems.

We study random processes with nonlocal memory and obtain solutions of the Mori-Zwanzig equation describing non-Markovian systems. We analyze the system dynamics depending on the amplitudes ν and µ_{0} of the local and nonlocal memory and pay attention to the line in the (ν, µ_{0}) plane separating the regions with asymptotically stationary and nonstationary behavior. We obtain general equations for such boundaries and consider them for three examples of nonlocal memory functions. We show that there exist two types of boundaries with fundamentally different system dynamics. On the boundaries of the first type, diffusion with memory takes place, whereas on borderlines of the second type the phenomenon of noise-induced resonance can be observed. A distinctive feature of noise-induced resonance in the systems under consideration is that it occurs in the absence of an external regular periodic force. It takes place due to the presence of frequencies in the noise spectrum, which are close to the self-frequency of the system. We analyze also the variance of the process and compare its behavior for regions of asymptotic stationarity and nonstationarity, as well as for diffusive and noise-induced-resonance borderlines between them.

Continuous stochastic processes with nonlocal memory.

We study the non-Markovian random continuous processes described by the Mori-Zwanzig equation. As a starting point, we use the Markovian Gaussian Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process and introduce an integral memory term depending on the past of the process into an expression for the higher-order transition probability function and the stochastic differential equation. We show that the proposed processes can be considered as continuous-time interpolations of discrete-time higher-order autoregressive sequences. An equation connecting the memory function (the kernel of integral term) and the two-point correlation function is obtained. A condition for stationarity of the process is established. We suggest a method to generate stationary continuous stochastic processes with a prescribed pair correlation function. As an illustration, some examples of numerical simulation of the processes with nonlocal memory are presented.

Conversion of terahertz wave polarization at the boundary of a layered superconductor due to the resonance excitation of oblique surface waves.

We predict a complete TM↔TE transformation of the polarization of terahertz electromagnetic waves reflected from a strongly anisotropic boundary of a layered superconductor. We consider the case when the wave is incident on the superconductor from a dielectric prism separated from the sample by a thin vacuum gap. The physical origin of the predicted phenomenon is similar to the Wood anomalies known in optics and is related to the resonance excitation of the oblique surface waves. We also discuss the dispersion relation for these waves, propagating along the boundary of the superconductor at some angle with respect to the anisotropy axis, as well as their excitation by the attenuated-total-reflection method.

Surface Josephson plasma waves in layered superconductors above the plasma frequency: evidence for a negative index of refraction.

We predict a new branch of surface Josephson plasma waves (SJPWs) in layered superconductors for frequencies higher than the Josephson plasma frequency. In this frequency range, the permittivity tensor components along and transverse to the layers have different signs, which is usually associated with negative refraction. However, for these frequencies, the bulk Josephson plasma waves cannot be matched with the incident and reflected waves in the vacuum, and, instead of the negative-refractive properties, abnormal surface modes appear within the frequency band expected for bulk modes. We also discuss the excitation of high-frequency SJPWs by means of the attenuated-total-reflection method.

Shape waves in 2D Josephson junctions: exact solutions and time dilation.

We predict a new class of excitations propagating along a Josephson vortex in two-dimensional Josephson junctions. These excitations are associated with the distortion of a Josephson vortex line and have an analogy with shear waves in solid mechanics. Their shapes can have an arbitrary profile, which is retained when propagating. We derive a universal analytical expression for the energy of arbitrary shape excitations, investigate their influence on the dynamics of a vortex line, and discuss conditions where such excitations can be created. Finally, we show that such excitations play the role of a clock for a relativistically moving Josephson vortex and suggest an experiment to measure a time dilation effect analogous to that in special relativity.

Anomalous temperature dependence of the Casimir force for thin metal films.

Within the framework of the Drude dispersive model, we predict an unusual nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the Casimir force for thin metal films. For certain conditions, this force decreases with temperature due to the decrease of the metallic conductivity, whereas the force increases at high temperatures due to the increase of the thermal radiation pressure. We consider the attraction of a film to: either (i) a bulk ideal metal with a planar boundary, or (ii) a bulk metal sphere (lens). The experimental observation of the predicted decreasing temperature dependence of the Casimir force can put an end to the long-standing discussion on the role of the electron relaxation in the Casimir effect.

Left-handed interfaces for electromagnetic surface waves.

We show that surface electromagnetic waves (SEMWs) propagating along two-dimensional (2D) interfaces separating different metamaterials can behave analogously to 3D electromagnetic waves in either usual or left-handed media, depending on the permeabilities and/or permittivities of the two materials forming the interface. We derive the conditions when SEMWs carry energy opposite to the phase velocity. In analogy to three-dimensional (3D) left-handed media, we derive both an anomalous Cherenkov emission and a reversed Doppler effect. We also predict a negative refraction at the boundary between two different interfaces, which can be useful for perfect 2D lensing.

Rank distributions of words in correlated symbolic systems and the Zipf law.

The binary many-step Markov chain with the step-like memory function is considered as a model for the analysis of rank distributions of words in correlated stochastic symbolic systems. We prove that this distribution obeys the power law with the exponent of the order of unity in the case of rather strong persistent correlations. The Zipf law is shown to be valid for the rank distribution of words with lengths about and shorter than the correlation length in the Markov sequence. A self-similarity in the rank distribution with respect to the decimation procedure is observed.

Competition between two kinds of correlations in literary texts.

A theory of additive Markov chains with long-range memory is used to describe the correlation properties of coarse-grained literary texts. The complex structure of the correlations in the texts is revealed. Anti-persistent correlations at small distances, L approximately < 300, and persistent ones at L approximately > 300 define this non-trivial structure. For some concrete examples of literary texts, the memory functions are obtained and their power-law behavior at long distances is disclosed. This property is shown to be a cause of self-similarity of texts with respect to the decimation procedure.

Anisotropic origin of the bending instability of the flux-antiflux interface in type-II superconductors.

The physical nature of the macroturbulence in vortex matter in YBCO superconductors is investigated by means of a magneto-optic study of the instability in a single crystal prepared especially for this purpose. The instability develops near those sample edges where the oppositely directed flow of vortices and antivortices, guided by twin boundaries, is characterized by the discontinuity of the tangential component of the hydrodynamic velocity. This fact indicates that the macroturbulence is analogous to the instability of fluid flow at a surface of a tangential velocity discontinuity in classical hydrodynamics and is related to the anisotropic flux motion in the superconductor.

Binary N-step Markov chains and long-range correlated systems.

A theory of systems with long-range correlations based on the consideration of binary N-step Markov chains is developed. In our model, the conditional probability that the ith symbol in the chain equals zero (or unity) is a linear function of the number of unities among the preceding N symbols. The correlation and distribution functions as well as the variance of number of symbols in the words of arbitrary length L are obtained analytically and numerically. If the persistent correlations are not extremely strong, the variance is shown to be nonlinearly dependent on L. A self-similarity of the studied stochastic process is revealed. The applicability of the developed theory to the coarse-grained written and DNA texts is discussed.

Symbolic stochastic dynamical systems viewed as binary N-step Markov chains.

A theory of systems with long-range correlations based on the consideration of binary N-step Markov chains is developed. In the model, the conditional probability that the ith symbol in the chain equals zero (or unity) is a linear function of the number of unities among the preceding N symbols. The correlation and distribution functions as well as the variance of the number of symbols in the words of arbitrary length L are obtained analytically and numerically. A self-similarity of the studied stochastic process is revealed and the similarity group transformation of the chain parameters is presented. The diffusion Fokker-Planck equation governing the distribution function of the L words is explored. If the persistent correlations are not extremely strong, the distribution function is shown to be the Gaussian with the variance being nonlinearly dependent on L. The applicability of the developed theory to the coarse-grained written and DNA texts is discussed.

Hydrodynamic instability of the flux-antiflux interface in type-II superconductors.

A possible mechanism of the macroturbulence instability observed in fluxline systems during remagnetization of superconductors is proposed. It is shown that when a region with flux is invaded by antiflux the interface can become unstable if there is a relative tangential flux motion. This condition occurs at the interface owing to the anisotropy of the viscous motion of vortices. The phenomenon is similar to the instability of the tangential discontinuity in classical hydrodynamics. The obtained results are supported by magneto-optical observations of flux distribution on the surface of a YBCO single crystal with twins.