PROCEEDINGS OF THE 240 CONFERENCE: SCIENCE’S GREAT CHALLENGES: ADVANCES IN CHEMICAL PHYSICS VOLUME 157

EDITORIAL BOARD

CONTRIBUTORS TO VOLUME 157

PREFACE

SESSIONS AT THE “240” CONFERENCE (SEPTEMBER 13–15, 2012)

CONTENTS

Part I The Emergence and Breakdown of Complexity

1 Features of Complexity

I. Introduction

II. The Emergence of Classical Dynamics from the Underlying Quantum Laws

A. Insight from Quantum Control Theory

III. The Emergence of Thermodynamical Phenomena

A. The Quantum Otto Cycle

B. Quantum Dynamics of the Working Medium

C. Quantum Thermodynamics

D. The Quantum Tricycle

E. The Third Law of Thermodynamics

IV. Perspective

Acknowledgments

References

Discussion

2 Exploring Quantum-Classical Boundary

I. Motivation

II. Development of Experimental Tools

III. Toward the Quantum-Classical Boundary

Acknowledgements

References

Discussion

3 Transition from Atoms to Clusters to Condensed Matter

Acknowledgments

References

Discussion

4 Free Energies of Staging a Scenario and Perpetual Motion Machines of the Third Kind

I. Introduction

II. Perpetual Motion Machines of the Third Kind

III. The Free Energy Cost of Staging A Scenario

A. A Trivial Scenario: Protein Folding

B. Staging Free Energy

IV. Near PM3 Processes

V. Energy Sources for Staging

VI. Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

5 Finite-Time Thermodynamics Tools to Analyze Dissipative Processes

I. Introduction

II. Tricycles

III. Thermodynamic Length

IV. Work Deficiency

V. Accounting for Staging Free Energy with Network Thermodynamics

VI. Conclusion

References

6 New Types of Complexity in Chemical Kinetics: Intersections, Coincidences, and Special Symmetrical Relationships

I. Introduction

II. Intersections and Coincidences

III. Dual Experiments and Joint Kinetics

IV. Conclusions

References

7 Opportunities in the Area of Noise in Biological Reaction Networks

I. Inferring Regulatory Relationships from Noise

II. Noise that is Integral to Biological Function

III. Energy Use

Acknowledgments

References

Discussion

8 Thermodynamic Approach to Chemical Networks

I. Introduction

II. The Classical Setting

III. Thermodynamic Signatures and Their Limitations

IV. Mesoscopic-Level Description

V. Stochastic Thermodynamics

VI. Dynamical Systems as Networks

VII. Information Processing

VIII. Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

9 On the Emergence of Simple Structures in Complex Phenomena: Concepts and Some Numerical Examples

I. Introduction: Structures in “Spectra of Numbers” Motto: Simplex Sigillum Veri [1]

II. Statistical Properties of Numbers and Spectra

III. Structures in Time-Dependent Dynamics

IV. Conclusions and Outlook

Acknowledgment

References

Discussion

10 The Emergence of Simplicity from Complexity

References

Part II Dynamics at extremes

11 On the Way to a Theory of Solid State Synthesis: Issues and Open Questions

I. Motivation and General Research Program for a Theory of Solid State Synthesis

II. Open Questions and Challenges

III. Conclusion

References

12 Beyond Molecular Conduction: Optical and Thermal Effects in Molecular Junctions

I. Introduction

II. Heating and Heat Conduction

A. Introduction

B. Heat Generation

C. Heat Conduction

D. Junction Temperature

III. Junction Optoelectronics

A. Introduction

B. Switching

C. Effect of Electromagnetic Fields on Junction Transport

D. Light Emission from Current-Carrying Junctions

E. Raman Scattering

IV. Concluding Remarks

Acknowledgments

References

Discussion

13 Thermal Conductance at the Interface Between Molecules

Acknowledgments

References

14 Laser Energy Deposition in Nanodroplets and Nuclear Fusion Driven by Coulomb Explosion

I. Introduction

II. Simulation of Fusion Reaction Yields and Efficiencies

III. Analysis of Nanodroplet Energetics and Fusion Efficiencies

IV. Conclusions

Acknowledgments

References

15 Understanding ultraintense x-ray interactions with matter

I. X-Ray Free-Electron Lasers: Present Status

A. Comparison of Ultraintense Optical and X-ray Lasers

II. Atomic and Molecular Response to Ultraintense X-Ray Pulses

A. First Experiments at LCLS

B. Ultraintense X-Ray Interactions with Clusters

III. Femtosecond Nanocrystallography

IV. Outstanding Challenges

References

Discussion

16 Time-Dependent Computational Methods for Matter Under Extreme Conditions

I. Introduction

II. Methodology

III. Some Like it Hot and Some Like it Cold

A. Excitations of Ultracold Atomic Gases

IV. Diatomic Molecules Exposed to Ultrashort, Intense, Laser Radiation

A. Results for H

V. Conclusion

VI. A Few Personal and Historical Remarks by Barry Schneider

Acknowledgments

References

17 Elementary Excitations in Ultracold Finite Systems

I. Introduction

II. Bose–Einstein Condensate Physics Primer

A. Introduction

B. Bose Statistics and an Noninteracting Gas

C. Weakly Interacting BEC: The Gross–Pitaevskii Equation

III. Turbulence in Bose–Einstein Condensates

A. Review of Classical Turbulence

B. Quantum Turbulence

IV. Condensate Dynamics in Reduced Dimensions: The Tonks-Girardeau Gas in 1D

V. BCS–BEC Crossover and the Feshbach Resonance

VI. Many-Body Physics in Optical Lattices

A. The Quantum Phase Transition

B. Bose–Hubbard Model

VII. Synthetic Gauge Fields with Quantum Gases

A. The Berry Phase

B. Experimental Realization of a Synthetic Magnetic Field and a Lorentz-like Force Acting on a BEC

C. Discussion

VIII. The Simulation of Graphene Physics by Quantum Cold Matter in Optical Lattices

A. Introduction

B. Elements of Graphene Condensed Matter Physics

C. Cold-matter Simulation of Graphene Physics

IX. Summary

Acknowledgments

References

Discussion

Part III Grand Questions

18 On Biomolecular Homochirality as a Quasi-Fossil of the Evolution of Life

I. Introduction

II. Some Facts of Life

III. Symmetries and Asymmetries in the Present World

A. Fundamental Symmetries of Physics and the Question of Left and Right

B. Symmetry Breakings: Spontaneous, De Facto, De Lege

IV. Current Status of Theory and Experiment for Parity Violation in Chiral Molecules

V. The Origin and Significance of Biomolecular Homochirality

VI. Dead or Alive, Dark Matter, Cosmology and the World Game: Concluding Remarks and Speculations

A. Homochirality of Matter and Cosmology

B. The World Game

C. Life and Death in the Universe and the Question of Consciousness and Free Will

D. SETI and Extraterrestrial Homochirality

E. Search for Terrestrial Intelligence (STI)

Acknowledgment

Appendix

On Nomenclature

References

Discussion

19 Origins of Life

I. Preliminary Philosophical Remarks

II. Energy and Material Sources

III. Biochemistry: Metabolism and Replication and a Word on Evolution

IV. The Machinery of Metabolism

V. The Machinery of Replication

VI. Enclosing Natures Chemical Factory: Protocells

VII. Life Elsewhere

VIII. Some Thoughts on Missing Links, and Recommendations

References

Discussion

AUTHOR INDEX

SUBJECT INDEX

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