Decoupling
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The term "decoupling" is used in many different contexts.
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[edit] Physics
In physics, decoupling is the general phenomenon in which the interactions between some physical objects (such as elementary particles) disappear.
In gauge theories, there are unobserved polarizations of elementary particles, such as the longitudinal photon. The experiments as well as theoretical consistency dictates that these polarizations cannot be produced by collisions of other particles. Consequently, their interactions with other (physical) particles must be equal to zero, and quantum electrodynamics confirms this expectation: decoupling is a consequence of gauge symmetry.
[edit] Physical cosmology
In physical cosmology, the term "decoupling" is often used for the moment during recombination when the rate of compton scattering became slower than the expansion of the universe, producing Cosmic Microwave Background as we know it.
[edit] Biology
In biology, decoupling (used interchangeably with uncoupling) refers to the separation of the energy stored in the ion gradients inside mitochondria from the synthesis of ATP. Since this energy is not used to do work, it is dissipated as heat. This strategy is used by hibernating animals and infants to keep warm because their heat energy needs are higher than their ATP needs. Artificial decoupling has been used as a diet aid, often with disastrous results.
[edit] Electronics
In electronics, decoupling refers to the preventing of undesired coupling between subsystems via the power supply connections. Nowadays, this is commonly accomplished by connecting localized capacitors close to the power leads of integrated circuits to act as a small localized energy reservoir; these supply the circuit with current during transient, high current demand periods, preventing the voltage on the power supply rail from being pulled down by the momentary current load. See decoupling capacitor.
[edit] Rail transport
In rail transport, decoupling is the separation of two railroad cars by manipulation of their couplers.
[edit] Inventory management
In Inventory Management, decoupling allows economy of scale within a single facility, and permits each process to operate at maximum efficiency rather than having the speed of the entire process constrained by the slowest.
[edit] Nuclear testing
In the underground nuclear testing (the testing of nuclear weapons), decoupling refers to the attempt to prevent some of the bomb's energy from transmitting as seismic waves. This makes it more difficult for outside observers to estimate the nuclear yield of the weapon being tested.
[edit] Mathematics
In mathematics, decoupling refers to the rearrangement of systems of equations so that they are independent of each other.
[edit] Utility Regulation
In public utility regulation, decoupling refers to the disassociation of a utility profit's from its sales of the energy commodity. Instead, a rate of return is aligned with meeting revenue targets, and rates are trued up or down to meet the target at the end of the adjustment period. This makes the utility indifferent to selling less product and improves the ability of energy efficiency and distributed generation to operate within the utility environment.
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