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In The Feynman Lectures on Physics is discussed an introduction to tensors, specifically a way of ``visualizing'' the polarization tensor, by means of the energy ellipsoid, which is drawn by the electric fields which produce the same polarization energy density in an anisotropic crystal. Here, we discuss an alternative way of visualizing the polarization tensor, by means of the polarization ellipsoid, which is based on the ideas of Lam\'{e}'s stress ellipsoid and is drawn by the polarization vectors produced by electric fields having the same magnitude. We compare both ellipsoids as a first introductory way of visualizing the polarization tensor., Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures

We investigate, by means of the scattering approach, the Casimir-Polder interaction between a neutral anisotropic polarizable particle and a corrugated surface made of a realistic material. By focusing on the lateral force (arising from the presence of corrugation on the surface), we investigate the conditions for the particle to be attracted to the nearest corrugation peak, valley, or to an intermediate point between a peak and a valley, with such behaviors called peak, valley and intermediate regimes, respectively. Such regimes of the lateral force were recently predicted in the literature, but in the context of the van der Waals interaction and considering the surface made of some ideal material (a perfectly conducting or a nondispersive dielectric). Here, we investigate how the occurrence of the mentioned regimes is affected by the consideration of realistic dielectric properties for the surface and also of the retardation in the interaction. In this context, we show that the consideration of a dispersive surface, when compared to the mentioned idealized materials, can amplify the occurrence of the valley and intermediate regimes. Moreover, regarding the consideration of retardation, we show that it has a small influence on the occurrence of the valley regime, but, for the intermediate ones, can either amplify or inhibit them. Such investigation provides a preciser description of the interaction between an anisotropic particle and a corrugated surface, giving a better understanding of the nontrivial aspects of the lateral Casimir-Polder force., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures

We consider smooth families of planar polynomial vector fields $\{X_\mu\}_{\mu\in\Lambda}$, where $\Lambda$ is an open subset of $\mathbb{R}^N$, for which there is a hyperbolic polycycle $\Gamma$ that is persistent (i.e., such that none of the separatrix connections is broken along the family). It is well known that in this case the cyclicity of $\Gamma$ at $\mu_0$ is zero unless its graphic number $r(\mu_0)$ is equal to one. It is also well known that if $r(\mu_0)=1$ (and some generic conditions on the return map are verified) then the cyclicity of $\Gamma$ at $\mu_0$ is one, i.e., exactly one limit cycle bifurcates from $\Gamma$. In this paper we prove that this limit cycle approaches $\Gamma$ exponentially fast and that its period goes to infinity as $1/|r(\mu)-1|$ when $\mu\to\mu_0.$ Moreover, we prove that if those generic conditions are not satisfied, although the cyclicity may be exactly 1, the behavior of the period of the limit cycle is not determined.

The papers by Janszky and Adam [Phys. Rev. A {\bf 46}, 6091 (1992)] and Chen \textit{et al.} [Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 104}, 063002 (2010)] are examples of works where one can find the following equivalences: belonging to the following class: quantum harmonic oscillators subjected to different time-dependent frequency modulations, during a certain time interval $\tau$, exhibit exactly the same final null squeezing parameter ($r_f=0$). In the present paper, we discuss a more general case of squeezing equivalence, where the final squeezing parameter can be non-null ($r_f\geq0$). We show that when the interest is in controlling the forms of the frequency modulations, but keeping free the choice of the values of $r_f$ and $\tau$, this in general demands numerical calculations to find these values leading to squeezing equivalences (a particular case of this procedure recovers the equivalence found by Jansky and Adams). On the other hand, when the interest is not in previously controlling the form of these frequencies, but rather $r_f$ and $\tau$ (and also some constraints, such as minimization of energy), one can have analytical solutions for these frequencies leading to squeezing equivalences (particular cases of this procedure are usually applied in problems of shortcuts to adiabaticity, as done by Chen \textit{et al.}). In this way, this more general squeezing equivalence discussed here is connected to recent and important topics in the literature as, for instance, generation of squeezed states and the obtaining of shortcuts to adiabaticity., Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures

Harmonic oscillators with multiple abrupt jumps in their frequencies have been investigated by several authors during the last decades. We investigate the dynamics of a quantum harmonic oscillator with initial frequency $\omega_0$, that undergoes a sudden jump to a frequency $\omega_1$ and, after a certain time interval, suddenly returns to its initial frequency. Using the Lewis-Riesenfeld method of dynamical invariants, we present expressions for the mean energy value, the mean number of excitations, and the transition probabilities, considering the initial state different from the fundamental. We show that the mean energy of the oscillator, after the jumps, is equal or greater than the one before the jumps, even when $\omega_1<\omega_0$. We also show that, for particular values of the time interval between the jumps, the oscillator returns to the same initial state., Comment: 11 pages, 12 figures

We investigate the lateral van der Waals (vdW) force between an anisotropic polarizable particle and a perfectly conducting plane with a hemispherical protuberance with radius $R$. We predict, via an exact calculation, a sign inversion in the lateral vdW force, in the sense that, instead of pointing to the protuberance, in certain situations this force points to the opposite direction. In the literature, predictions of sign inversions in the lateral vdW force were based on perturbative solutions, valid when the height of the protuberance is very small when compared to the distance $z_0$ between the particle and the plane. Here, taking into account exact formulas, we investigate how such nontrivial geometric effect depends on the ratio $R/z_0$, and how the particle orientation and anisotropy affect this sign inversion., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures

In one of his books [$\textit{The Feynmann Lectures on Physics}$, vol. 2], Feynman presents a didactic approach to introduce basic ideas about tensors, using, as a first example, the dependence of the induced polarization of a crystal on the direction of the applied electric field, and also presenting the energy ellipsoid as a way of visualizing the polarization tensor. In the present paper, we propose some variations on Feynman's didactic approach, considering as our basic models a single ground-state atom and a carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_{2}$) molecule, instead of crystals, and introducing a visual representation of tensors based on the ideas of the Lam\'e stress ellipsoid, instead of the energy ellipsoid. With these changes, the resulting didactic proposal presents a reduction in the prerequisites of physical and mathematical concepts if compared to Feynman's original approach, requiring, for example, no differential calculus and only introductory vector algebra. The text is written so that it can be used directly as a learning tool for students (even those in the beginning of the undergraduate course), as well as for teachers interested in preparing their own materials., Comment: 16 pages, 46 figures

We consider a perfectly conducting infinite cylinder with radius $R$, and investigate the Casimir-Polder (CP) and van der Waals (vdW) interactions with a neutral polarizable particle constrained to move in a plane distant $x_0>R$ from the axis of the cylinder. We show that when the relative curvature $x_0/R \lesssim 6.44$, this particle, under the action of the lateral CP force (which is the projection of the CP force onto the mentioned plane), is attracted to the point on the plane which is closest to the cylinder surface. On the other hand, when $x_0/R \gtrsim 6.44$, we also show that, for certain particle orientations and anisotropy, the lateral CP force can move the particle away from the cylinder. This repulsive behavior of such a component of the CP force reveals a nontrivial dependence of the CP interaction with the surface geometry, specifically of the relative curvature. In the vdW regime, we show that a similar nontrivial repulsive behavior occurs, but for the relative curvature $x_0/R \gtrsim 2.18$, which means that this effect requires a smaller cylinder curvature in the vdW regime than in the CP one. In addition, we also show that there are classical counterparts of these effects, involving a neutral particle with a permanent electric dipole moment. The prediction of such geometric effects on this force may be relevant for a better controlling of the interaction between a particle and a curved surface in classical and quantum physics., Comment: 7 pages, 10 figures

We work with polynomial three-dimensional rigid differential systems. Using the Lyapunov constants, we obtain lower bounds for the cyclicity of the known rigid centers on their center manifolds. Moreover, we obtain an example of a quadratic rigid center from which is possible to bifurcate 13 limit cycles, which is a new lower bound for three-dimensional quadratic systems.

Consider analytical three-dimensional differential systems having a singular point at the origin such that its linear part is $y\partial_x-\lambda z\partial_z$ for some $\lambda\neq 0$. The restriction of such systems to a Center Manifold has a nilpotent singular point at the origin. We prove that if the restricted system has an analytic nilpotent center at the origin, with Andreev number $2$, then the three-dimensional system admits a formal inverse Jacobi multiplier. We also prove that nilpotent centers of three-dimensional systems, on analytic center manifolds, are limits of Hopf-type centers. We use these results to solve the center problem for some three-dimensional systems without restricting the system to a parametrization of the center manifold.

Problems involving boundary conditions on corrugated surfaces are relevant to understand nature, since, at some scale, surfaces manifest corrugations that have to be taken into account. In introductory level electromagnetism courses, a very common and fundamental exercise is to solve Poisson's equation for a point charge in the presence of an infinity perfectly conducting planar surface, which is usually done by image method. Clinton, Esrick and Sacks [Phys. Rev. B 31, 7540 (1985)] added corrugation to this surface, and solved the problem by a perturbative analytical calculation of the corresponding Green's function. In the present paper, we make a detailed pedagogical review of this calculation, aiming to popularize their results. We also present an original contribution, extending this perturbative approach to solve the Laplace's equation for the electrostatic potential for a corrugated neutral conducting cylinder in the presence of a uniform electric field (without corrugation, this is another very common model considered as an exercise in electromagnetism courses). All these calculations can be used as pedagogical examples of the application of the present perturbative approach in electromagnetism courses.

We consider quadratic three-dimensional differential systems having a Hopf singular point. We study the cyclicity when the singular point is a center on the center manifold using higher order developments of the Lyapunov constants. As a result, we make a chart of the cyclicity by establishing the lower bounds for several known systems in the literature, among them the Rossler, Lorenz and Moon-Rand systems. Moreover, we obtain an example of a jerk system for which is possible to bifurcate 12 limit-cycles from the center, which is a new lower bound for three-dimensional quadratic systems.

We consider a single slight protuberance in a perfectly conducting plane, and investigate the van der Waals (vdW) interaction between this surface and a neutral polarizable particle. When the protuberance is sufficiently smooth, so that the proximity force approximation (PFA) is well applicable, for a fixed distance of the particle from the plane, the lateral vdW force always points to the protuberance. On the other hand, by making calculations valid beyond the PFA, we show that nontrivial geometric effects arise when we consider an anisotropic particle, and manipulate the ratio between the characteristic widths of the protuberance and the fixed particle-plane distance. We predict that, as this ratio decreases, a sign inversion in the lateral vdW force can occur, in the sense that, instead of pointing to the protuberance, in certain situations the lateral force points to the opposite direction. Moreover, we show that even when such a sign inversion in the lateral vdW force does not occur for a single protuberance, it can arise when two or more protuberances are put together, distinguishing between sign inversions originated by individual or collective effects. In addition, we show that all these effects have their classical counterparts, involving a neutral particle with a permanent electric dipole moment. The prediction of such geometric effects on the lateral vdW force may be relevant for a better controlling of the interaction between a particle and a corrugated surface in classical and quantum physics., Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures

Consider analytical three-dimensional differential systems having a singular point at the origin such that its linear part is $y\partial_x-\lambda z\partial_z$ for some $\lambda\neq 0$. The restriction of such systems to a Center Manifold has a nilpotent singular point at the origin. We study the formal integrability and the center problem for those types of singular points in the monodromic case. Our approach do not require polynomial approximations of the Center Manifold in order to study the center problem. As a byproduct, we obtain some useful results for planar $C^r$ systems having a nilpotent singularity. We conclude the work solving the Nilpotent Center Problem for the Generalized Lorenz system and the Hide-Skeldon-Acheson dynamo system.

In a recent paper, it was shown that, under the action of the lateral van der Waals (vdW) force due to a perfectly conducting corrugated surface, a neutral anisotropic polarizable particle in vacuum can be attracted not only to the nearest corrugation peak, but also to a valley, or an intermediate point between a peak and a valley, with such behaviors called peak, valley and intermediate regimes, respectively. In the present paper, we investigate how these regimes are affected by the consideration of two non-dispersive semi-infinite dielectrics $\epsilon_{1}$ and $\epsilon_{2}$, separated by a corrugated interface. Specifically, we study the vdW interaction between a neutral anisotropic polarizable particle, embedded in the dielectric $\epsilon_{2}$, and the dielectric $\epsilon_{1}$. We show that when $\epsilon_{2}<\epsilon_{1}$ the peak, valley and intermediate regimes have, unless numerical factors, behaviors similar to those found for the situation where the particle is in vacuum and interacting with a conducting medium. For the case $\epsilon_{2}>\epsilon_{1}$, one might expect a mere permute between the peak and valley regimes, in comparison to the case $\epsilon_{2}<\epsilon_{1}$. Surprisingly, we find that when $\epsilon_{2}>\epsilon_{1}$ the regimes exhibit a very different and nontrivial behavior. Moreover, we show that similar regimes arise in the classical case involving a neutral polarized particle. The description of how the peak, valley and intermediate regimes are affected by the presence of dielectrics may be relevant for a better understanding of the interaction between anisotropic particles and corrugated surfaces., Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures

Given a nilpotent singular point of a planar vector field, its monodromy is associated with its Andreev number $n$. The parity of $n$ determines whether the existence of an inverse integrating factor implies that the singular point is a nilpotent center. For $n$ odd, this is not always true. We give a characterization for a family of systems having Andreev number $n$ such that the center problem cannot be solved by the inverse integrating factor method. Moreover, we study general properties of this family, determining necessary center conditions for every $n$ and solving the center problem in the case $n=3$.

We study the van der Waals (vdW) interaction between a polarizable particle and a grounded conducting corrugated surface. For sinusoidal corrugations, one knows that, under the action of the lateral vdW force, an isotropic particle is always attracted to the nearest corrugation peak, with such behavior called in the present paper as peak regime. Here, considering an anisotropic polarizable particle, and making analytical calculations valid beyond the proximity force approximation (PFA), we show that the attraction is not only toward the peaks, but, for certain particle orientations and distances from the surface, the lateral force attracts the particle to the nearest corrugation valley (valley regime), or even to an intermediate point between a peak and a valley (intermediate regime). We also show that in the configurations of transition between the peak and valley regimes the lateral vdW force vanishes, even in the presence of a corrugated surface. In addition, we find that these new regimes occur in general, for periodic and nonperiodic corrugated surfaces. Moreover, we demonstrate that similar regimes arise in the classical interaction between a neutral polarized particle and a rough surface. The description of these valley and intermediate regimes, which are out of reach of the predictions based on the PFA, may be relevant for a better understanding of the interaction between anisotropic particles and corrugated surfaces in classical and quantum physics, with experimental verifications feasible in both domains., Comment: 7 pages, 15 figures