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harmonic oscillator
- A physical system in which some value oscillates above and below a mean value at one or more characteristic frequencies. Such systems often arise when a contrary force results from displacement from a force-neutral position, and gets stronger in proportion to the amount of displacement. For example, pulling or pushing the end of a spring from its rest position results in a force pushing back toward the rest position. Letting the spring go from a position of tension results in harmonic motion of the spring; the spring is now a harmonic oscillator. Other examples include a swinging pendulum, a vibrating violin string, or an electronic circuit that produces radio waves.
Example Sentences
On the other hand, there are quantum features that have infinitely many distinguishable states, such as the position of a quantum harmonic oscillator — the quantum-mechanical version of a mass suspended on a spring.
Flühmann and colleagues have succeeded in this endeavour by preparing a quantum harmonic oscillator in a state that resembles a GKP-encoded qubit.
While mathematicians in other conference rooms discussed “Lyapunov Exponents in Non-Archimedean Dynamics†and “Nodal Sets of Random Eigenfunctions of the Harmonic Oscillator,†Ibrahim gave his presentation, “Joint Mathematics: Lessons from a Marijuana License Lottery.â€
A typical phenomenon that is studied in introductory physics is the harmonic oscillator.
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