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Sicktoaster
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I've seen these terms in connection with quantum mechanics a lot. I've looked them up but it's hard to find just a straightforward definition of them.
DaveC426913 said:That's because they're not really definitions, they're analogies.
All word descriptions of the subatomic world are necessarily inaccurate because there are no analogies with anything in our experience. The only accurate descriptions of anything are the formulae themselves.
So I guess the "definition" of smearing is the equation that describes a Bose-Einstein condensate.
I'll defer to professionals in the field for accuracy in termonology, but yes, in a nutshell, when atoms are cooled to near 0K they smear out into a BEC. As their motion approaches zero, HUP dictates that their position becomes indistinct. You can no longer tell one atom from another. In fact, it becomes meaningless to try.Sicktoaster said:So is "smearing" as used in QM literature perfectly synonymous with the Bose-Einstein condensate equation?
mfb said:You can use "smearing" to describe what happens during Bose-Einstein condensation, but you get similar effects without BECs as well. Therefore, they are not synonyms.
"Smearing" is not well-defined enough for that.Sicktoaster said:Care to elaborate?
Compared to classical arrangements of atoms (every atom has a single place), it is certainly much wider.Sicktoaster said:Smearing you think of it smearing out to cover a wider area, which it does not appear to do.
"Smearing" is a term used in science to describe the blurring or spreading of a signal or measurement over a wider area than its original source. This can occur due to factors such as instrument limitations, sample preparation techniques, or environmental conditions.
Smearing can significantly impact data analysis by distorting or obscuring the original signal or measurement. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions or findings if not properly accounted for in the analysis process.
A smeared field can be caused by a variety of factors, including imperfect lenses or mirrors in an optical system, movement of the sample or instrument during data collection, or the use of high energy beams that can scatter or diffract off of the sample.
Yes, smearing can be corrected or minimized through various techniques such as using higher quality optical components, stabilizing the sample and instrument during data collection, or using advanced algorithms in data analysis to deconvolve the smeared signal.
No, there are some cases where smearing can actually be beneficial, such as in certain imaging techniques where it can help enhance contrast or resolution. However, in most cases, smearing is considered undesirable and efforts are made to minimize its effects on data analysis.