Loss Aversion

The Q-factor, or quality factor, of a resonant circuit is a dimensionless parameter that quantifies the sharpness of the resonance peak in relation to its bandwidth. It is defined as the ratio of the resonant frequency ($f_0$) to the bandwidth ($\Delta f$) of the circuit:

A higher Q-factor indicates a narrower bandwidth and thus a more selective circuit, meaning it can better differentiate between frequencies. This is desirable in applications such as radio receivers, where the ability to isolate a specific frequency is crucial. Conversely, a low Q-factor suggests a broader bandwidth, which may lead to less efficiency in filtering signals. Factors influencing the Q-factor include the resistance, inductance, and capacitance within the circuit, making it a critical aspect in the design and performance of resonant circuits.

Van der Waals heterostructures are engineered materials composed of two or more different two-dimensional (2D) materials stacked together, relying on van der Waals forces for adhesion rather than covalent bonds. These heterostructures enable the combination of distinct electronic, optical, and mechanical properties, allowing for novel functionalities that cannot be achieved with individual materials. For instance, by stacking transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with graphene, researchers can create devices with tunable band gaps and enhanced carrier mobility. The alignment of the layers can be precisely controlled, leading to the emergence of phenomena such as interlayer excitons and superconductivity. The versatility of van der Waals heterostructures makes them promising candidates for applications in next-generation electronics, photonics, and quantum computing.

Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) is an optimization algorithm used to minimize an objective function, typically in the context of machine learning. The fundamental idea behind SGD is to update the model parameters iteratively based on a randomly selected subset of the training data, rather than the entire dataset. This leads to faster convergence and allows the model to escape local minima more effectively.

Mathematically, at each iteration $t$, the parameters $\theta$ are updated as follows:

where $\eta$ is the learning rate, and $(x^{(i)}, y^{(i)})$ is a randomly chosen training example. Proofs of convergence for SGD typically involve demonstrating that, under certain conditions (like a diminishing learning rate), the expected value of the loss function will converge to a minimum as the number of iterations approaches infinity. This is crucial for ensuring that the algorithm is both efficient and effective in practice.

Pareto Optimality is a fundamental concept in economics and game theory that describes an allocation of resources where no individual can be made better off without making someone else worse off. In other words, a situation is Pareto optimal if there are no improvements possible that can benefit one party without harming another. This concept is often visualized using a Pareto front, which illustrates the trade-offs between different individuals' utility levels.

Mathematically, a state $x$ is Pareto optimal if there is no other state $y$ such that:

and

where $i$ and $j$ represent different individuals in the system. Pareto efficiency is crucial in evaluating resource distributions in various fields, including economics, social sciences, and environmental studies, as it helps to identify optimal allocations without presupposing any social welfare function.

A Phase-Locked Loop (PLL) is an electronic control system that synchronizes an output signal's phase with a reference signal. It consists of three key components: a phase detector, a low-pass filter, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The phase detector compares the phase of the input signal with the phase of the output signal from the VCO, generating an error signal that represents the phase difference. This error signal is then filtered to remove high-frequency noise before being used to adjust the VCO's frequency, thus locking the output to the input signal's phase and frequency.

PLLs are widely used in various applications, such as:

• Clock generation in digital circuits
• Frequency synthesis in communication systems
• Demodulation in phase modulation systems

Mathematically, the relationship between the input frequency $f_{in}$ and the output frequency $f_{out}$ can be expressed as:

where $K$ is the loop gain of the PLL. This dynamic system allows for precise frequency control and stability in electronic applications.

The Cauchy-Riemann equations are a set of two partial differential equations that are fundamental in the field of complex analysis. They provide a necessary and sufficient condition for a function $f(z)$ to be holomorphic (i.e., complex differentiable) at a point in the complex plane. If we express $f(z)$ as $f(z) = u(x, y) + iv(x, y)$, where $z = x + iy$, then the Cauchy-Riemann equations state that:

Here, $u$ and $v$ are the real and imaginary parts of the function, respectively. These equations imply that if a function satisfies the Cauchy-Riemann equations and is continuous, it is differentiable everywhere in its domain, leading to the conclusion that holomorphic functions are infinitely differentiable and have power series expansions in their neighborhoods. Thus, the Cauchy-Riemann equations are pivotal in understanding the behavior of complex functions.