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Hans Dekker

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Dutch theoretical physicist
Hans Dekker
BornJanuary 18, 1947 (1947-01-18)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
NationalityDutch
Alma materDelft University of Technology, Utrecht University
Scientific career
Fieldsstochastic processes, quantum dissipation
InstitutionsNetherlands Physics Laboratory TNO, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Amsterdam
Doctoral advisorNico van Kampen

Hans J. van Ommeren Dekker (born January 18, 1947, in Amsterdam, Netherlands) is a Dutch theoretical physicist in the line of Dirk Polder, Ralph Kronig, and Nico van Kampen. His scientific work inter alia involves laser theory, path integrals in curved spaces, nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, dissipation in quantum mechanics, and hydrodynamic turbulence. He is director of the Private Institute for Advanced Study and professor emeritus at the Institute for Theoretical Physics of the University of Amsterdam.

Biography

Dekker studied physics at Delft University of Technology, in Delft, Netherlands, where he did research in acoustics in the group of Cornelis W. Kosten, and in electron optics with nl:Jan Bart Le Poole.

In 1968 he was also chief editor of the Delft student periodical Het Orakel (for which he inter alia wrote a story about the first successful heart transplantation by Christiaan Barnard, Kaapstad, South Africa) while he spent the summer of 1970 with an IAESTE/Nuffic grant working on thermoluminescent dosimeters at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States.

He completed his studies in theoretical physics under the supervision of Dirk Polder (solid-state physics), Ralph Kronig (quantum electrodynamics), and Jaap Kokkedee (quantum field theory and general relativity).

Dekker then joined the staff of the Netherlands Physics Laboratory TNO, in The Hague, where he became head of the Theoretical Physics Group in 1971. Of prime interest at that time was the quantum theory of the laser and in the early seventies he thus got involved in the Synergetics summerschools in Erice, Sicily, Italy, on co-operative phenomena in complex systems, and in 1976 he was visiting scientist at the University of Stuttgart, Germany, in the group of Hermann Haken. In the later seventies his interest in stochastic laser theory lead to several papers on path integrals for nonlinear processes, also in curved Riemannian spaces. Meanwhile he also proposed a mathematical model in theoretical biology on rodent population dynamics.

In 1980 he received a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Nico van Kampen at Utrecht University, Netherlands, concerning the systematic expansion of the master equation for Markov stochastic processes including a critical point (see also ). At about the same time Dekker wrote his monograph 'Classical and quantum mechanics of the damped harmonic oscillator', published in 1981 as a Physics Reports volume, which has become a standard reference for dissipation in quantum mechanics.

During 1981–1982 Dekker was NATO/Fulbright visiting professor at the Department of Chemistry, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, United States, with de:Irwin Oppenheim, and at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), in La Jolla, United States, with Kurt E. Shuler. He further was guest scientist at IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights United States, in 1988, with Rolf Landauer (on nonequilibrium stochastic processes ) and Martin Gutzwiller (on functional integration).

In 1989 he became Lorentz-nl:van Iterson Professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics (at the time headed by Hans Capel) of the University of Amsterdam. His inaugural lecture (English title: ‘Certain limitations’) is a plea for the concept of stochastic processes, both classical and quantum mechanical (see, e.g., the Capita selecta on 'Dissipative quantum processes' and also the book chapter ‘An educated game of chance in physics’ ).

Dekker inter alia was visiting professor at the International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in Trieste, Italy, in 1987 and 1996 (with Lawrence Schulman, on dissipative quantum tunneling; see also ) and invited lecturer at the Centennial Meeting of the Fondation Schlumberger/Louis de Broglie in fr:Les Treilles, France, in 1992 (with Tony Leggett, on 'Mesoscopic physics: from dissipative quantum mechanics to non-equilibrium thermodynamics' ).

Since 1998 Dekker also is director of the Private Institute for Advanced Study, in Amsterdam, where he inter alia worked on the stochastic theory of hydrodynamic turbulence and studied the Einstein-Maxwell electron radius in general relativity (and for which he became involved in the dynamical problems with the new Combino trams of the Amsterdam Transportation Authority GVB).

Research highlights

Awards

Publications

About 120 articles in refereed journals, and 60 in conference proceedings etc.

Book

  • Classical and Quantum Mechanics of the Damped Harmonic Oscillator (North-Holland: Physics Letters Series Vol. 80, Amsterdam, 1981)

References

  1. C.W. Kosten, International Comparison Measurements in the Reverberation Room, Acustica 10 (1960) 400–411
  2. A. de Bruijn, A Mathematical Analysis Concerning the Edge Effect of Sound Absorbing Materials, Acustica 28 (1973) 33–44.
  3. H. Dekker, Edge Effect Measurements in a Reverberation Room, J. Sound and Vibr. 32 (1974) 199–202.
  4. C.W. Kosten, Biography
  5. W. Glaser, Grundlagen der Elektronenoptik (Springer-Verlag, Wien, 1952)
  6. H. Dekker, A New Method of Measuring the Axial Field Distribution in a Superconducting Election Lens by means of the Faraday Effect, J. Phys. E: Sc. Instr. 5 (1972) 368–372.
  7. H. Dekker, Hartstocht , Orakel (Delftse Uitgeversmaatschappij, 1960) May 28, p. 8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333448952
  8. J. R. Cameron, N. Suntharalingam and G. N. Kennedy, Thermoluminescent Dosimetry (Univ. of Wisconsin Press, 1968).
  9. H. Dekker, Some aspects of a CaF2: Mn Thermoluminescent Dosimeter, Health Physics, 30 (1976) 399-401. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/21885971
  10. H. Klebanoff, Americans Search for Reasons to be Proud , The Florence Times (Florence/Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA) August 5, 1970, p. 4.
  11. A.H. Wilson, Theory of metals (Cambridge University Press, 1953) ISBN 978-0521279000
  12. H. Dekker, Enkele aspekten van helikongolven (Some aspects of helicon waves), Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Science Report, 43 pages (1969)
  13. R.P. Feynman, Quantum Electrodynamics (Taylor & Francis Inc., 1971) ISBN 9780201360752
  14. H. Dekker, A Theory of Cooperative Effects in Stimulated Cerenkov Radiation, Physica 90C (1977) 283-291. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240908572
  15. J.J.J. Kokkedee, Academic Tree
  16. J.J.J. Kokkedee, The Quark Model (Benjamin, San Francisco, 1969)
  17. S. Weinberg, Gravitation and Cosmology (Wiley, New York, 1972) ISBN 0471-92567-5
  18. H. Dekker, Algemene Relativiteits Theorie (General Theory of Relativity), Lecture notes, Delft University of Technology (Faculty of Science, J.J.J. Kokkedee, 1974)
  19. H. Dekker, Self-gravitation of massive charge and the Einstein-Maxwell electron radius, ITF/UvA Report 20140820 (Amsterdam, 2014)
  20. TNO
  21. H. Dekker, Stationary Momentum Space Solution of the Fokker-Planck Equation for a Simple Model of a Laser Oscillator Exhibiting Spatial Dispersion, Optics Communications 10 (1974) 114-119.
  22. H. Dekker, The Fokker-Planck Equation for the Continuum Mode Laser with Spatially Inhomogenous Dissipation and Excitation, Physica 83C (1976) 183-192.
  23. H. Dekker, Stationary Solution of the Fokker-Planck Equation for the Continuum Mode Laser with Spatially Inhomogeneous Dissipation and Excitation, Physica 83C (1976) 193-199.
  24. H. Dekker, Synergetica: Coöperatieve verschijnselen in complexe systemen, Intermediair, 31 (1975) 11, 32 (1975) 31.
  25. H. Dekker, Coöperatieve Verschijnselen in Complexe Systemen, TNO Project 4, 6 (1976) 239-243.
  26. H. Dekker, Time-local Gaussian Processes, Path Integrals and Nonequilibrium Nonlinear Diffusion, Physica 85A (1976) 363-373.
  27. F.W. Wiegel, Introduction to Path-Integral Methods in Physics and Polymer Science (World Scientific, Singapore, 1986) ISBN 9971978709
  28. H. Dekker, Functional Integration in Riemannian Geometries Revisited, Physical Review A 22 (1980) 1315-1316.
  29. H. Dekker, Quantization in Curved Spaces: Functional Integration and the Quantum Action Principle in Riemannian Geometries, in "Functional Integration: Theory and Applications", Edited by JP. Antoine & E. Tirapegui (Plenum, New York, 1980) 207-224.
  30. H. Dekker, Proof of Identity of Graham and Dekker Covariant Lattice Propagators, Physical Review A 24 (1981) 3182-3187.
  31. J.H. Myers and J.C. Krebs, Population Cycles in Rodents, Scientific American 230 (1974) 38-46.
  32. H. Dekker, A Simple Mathematical Model of Rodent Population Cycles, J. Math. Biol. 2 (1975) 57-67
  33. H. Dekker, On the Master Equation Approach to Rodent Population Cycles, General Systems, Vol. XXII (1977) 113-118
  34. N.G. van Kampen, Academic Tree
  35. N.G. van Kampen, Stochastic processes in Physics and Chemistry, (North-Holland, Amsterdam, 1981/2007) ISBN 9780444529657
  36. H. Dekker and N.G. van Kampen, Eigenvalues of a Diffusion Process with a Critical Point, Physics Letters A 73 (1979) 374-376.
  37. H. Dekker and N.G. van Kampen, The Expansion of the Fokker-Planck Equation including a Critical Point, Physics Letters A 76 (1980) 101-103.
  38. H. Dekker, Critical Dynamics: The Expansion of the Master Equation Including a Critical Point, I: Diffusion Processes, Physica 103A (1980) 55-79.
  39. H. Dekker, Critical Dynamics: The Expansion of the Master Equation Including a Critical Point, II: General Markov Processes, Physica 103A (1980) 80-98.
  40. H. Dekker, On the Critical Point of a Malthus-Verhulst Process, Journal of Chemical Physics 72 (1980) 189-191.
  41. H. Dekker, Unstable State Dynamics: a Systematic Evaluation of the Master Equation, Physics Letters 88A (1982) 279-281.
  42. H. Dekker, Classical and Quantum Mechanics of the Damped Harmonic Oscillator, Physics Reports 80 (1981) 1-112.
  43. H. Dekker and I. Oppenheim, Two-dimensional Random Walk Description of Fluid Flow in the Presence of a Wall: the Origin of Stick versus Slip Boundary Conditions in the Continuum Limit, Physica 117A (1983) 1-16.
  44. K.E. Shuler, Biography
  45. H. Dekker and A. Maassen van den Brink, Nonisothermal Activation: Nonlinear Transport Theory, in: Landauer Festschrift, Edited by S. Datta, A Special Issue of: Superlattices and Microstructures Vol. 23 (1998) 479-494.
  46. M.C. Gutzwiller, Chaos in Classical and Quantum Mechanics (Springer-Verlag, New York, 1990) ISBN 978-0-387-97173-5
  47. M.C. Gutzwiller, Huygens' Principle and the Path Integral, in: Path Summation - Achievements and Goals, Edited by S. Lundqvist, A. Ranfagni, V. Sa-yakanit, and L.S. Schulman (World Scientific, Singapore, 1988) p. 47-73. ISBN 9971-50-597-5
  48. H. Dekker, Zekere Beperkingen, Oratie Universiteit van Amsterdam 1992 (Printed Edition: FEL-TNO, Den Haag) p. 1-23.
  49. H. Dekker, Poster/synopsis of Lectures on 'Dissipatieve quantum processen', University of Amsterdam, 1990/1994
  50. H. Dekker, From Microscopia to Macroscopia: An Educated “Game of Chance” in Physics, in: “Chance and Uncertainty”, Edited by H.W. Capel et al. (Vossiuspers/Amsterdam University Press AUP, Amsterdam, 1995) p. 87-105.
  51. L.S. Schulman, Techniques and Applications of Path Integration (Wiley, New York, 1981) ISBN 0-471-76450-7
  52. L.S. Schulman, Introduction to the Path Integral, in: Path Summation - Achievements and Goals, Edited by S. Lundqvist, A. Ranfagni, V. Sa-yakanit, and L.S. Schulman (World Scientific, Singapore, 1988) p. 3-46. ISBN 9971-50-597-5
  53. L.S. Schulman, How quick is a quantum jump, in: Tunneling and its Implications, Edited by D. Mugnai, A. Ranfagni, and L.S. Schulman (World Scientific, Singapore, 1997) p. 121-133. ISBN 981-0229054
  54. H. Dekker, The Frozen False Vacuum, in: Path Summation - Achievements and Goals, Edited by S. Lundqvist, A. Ranfagni, V. Sa-yakanit, and L.S. Schulman (World Scientific, Singapore, 1988) p. 147-167. ISBN 9971-50-597-5
  55. H. Dekker, Multilevel Mesoscopic Tunneling, in: Tunneling and its Implications, Edited by D. Mugnai, A. Ranfagni, and L.S. Schulman (World Scientific, Singapore, 1997) p. 66-79. ISBN 981-0229054
  56. H. Dekker, Dissipative Quantum Decay at Weak Bias: Finite Temperature Tunneling through Almost Degenerate Barriers, in: Path Integrals from meV to MeV, Edited by V. Sa-yakanit, W. Sritrakool, J.O. Berananda, M.C. Gutzwiller, A. Inomata, S. Lundqvist, J.R. Klauder, and L.S. Schulman (World Scientific, Singapore, 1990) p. 329-354. ISBN 9971-50-935-0
  57. H. Dekker, Dissipative Quantum Processes, in: Path Integrals in Physics, Edited by V. Sa-yakanit, J.O. Berananda, and W. Sritrakool (World Scientific, Singapore, 1994) p. 137-153. ISBN 981-0220707
  58. Poster of the Louis de Broglie Centennial Meeting, France, 1992
  59. A.J. Leggett and A. Garg, Quantum Mechanics versus macroscopic realism: Is the flux there when nobody looks? Physical Review Letters 54 (1985) 857-860.
  60. A.J. Leggett, S. Chakravarty, A.T. Dorsey, M.P.A. Fisher, A. Garg, and W. Zwerger, Dynamics of the dissipative two-state system, Reviews of Modern Physics 59 (1987) 1-85.
  61. H. Dekker, Noninteracting-blip Approximation for a Two-level System Coupled to a Heat Bath, Physical Review A35 (1987) 1436-1437.
  62. H. Dekker, Exactly Solvable Model for Thermal Activation and Quantum Tunneling in Ohmic Systems, Physical Review A38 (1988) 6351-6361.
  63. H. Dekker, Multilevel Tunneling and Coherence: Dissipative Spin-hopping Dynamics at Finite Temperatures, Physical Review A44 (1991) 2314-2323. , Erratum, Physical Review E50 (1994) 4265.
  64. H. Dekker and A. Maassen van den Brink, Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics of Mesoscopic Systems, J. Supercond. 12 (1999) p. 719-725.
  65. H. Dekker, Multilevel macroscopic quantum tunneling: coherence and dissipation, in: Controllable dissipative tunneling - Tunnel transport in low-dimensional systems, Edited by A.J. Leggett (Fizmatlit, Moscow, 2012) p. 327-341 ISBN 978-5922113625
  66. H. Dekker, Towards a theory of turbulent shear flow? in: Turbulence Modeling and Vortex Dynamics, Edited by O. Boratov, A. Eden, and A. Erzan, Lecture Notes in Physics, Vol. 491 (Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1997) p. 238-241.
  67. H. Dekker, Theory of hydrodynamic turbulence: External scales and irrotational fields, in: Progress in Statistical Mechanics Research, Edited by J.S. Moreno (Nova Science Publishers, New York, 2008) p. 349-372
  68. H. Dekker, Turbulence: Large-scale sweeping and the emergence of small-scale Kolmogorov spectra, Physical Review E 84, 026302 (2011) 1-10.
  69. H. Dekker, Mathematical Modelling of Hydrodynamic Turbulence: Large Scale Sweeping and the Emergence of Small Scale Kolmogorov Spectra, in: Mathematical Modelling, Edited by C.R.Brennan (Nova Science Publishers, New York, 2012) p. 351-425.
  70. H. Dekker, Pointlike electric charge in gravitational field theory, J. Adv. Physics Vol. 14 (2018) 5611-5623
  71. H. Dekker, Combino Files (Letters to the Editor, Het Parool, Amsterdam) 1 & 2 July 2004 ; 15 September 2004 , 22 March 2006
  72. H. Dekker, Decibelmetingen Combino trams GVB Amsterdam (Private Institute for Advanced Study, Amsterdam, 2004/2005)
  73. H. Dekker, Vibrational Dynamics of modern lightrail modules, Arch. Appl. Mech. (2007) 849-859.

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