A method is proposed to identify target states that optimize a metastability index amongst a set of trial states and use these target states as milestones (or core sets) to build Markov State Models (MSMs). If the optimized metastability index is small, this automatically guarantees the accuracy of the MSM, in the sense that the transitions between the target milestones is indeed approximately ...

One metastable linkage nitrosyl isomer can be generated in [Pt(NH(3))(4)Cl(NO)]Cl(2) by irradiation with light in the red spectral range. The potential energy barrier for the thermal relaxation of the metastable state to the ground state has an amount of E(A) = (0.27 +/- 0.03) eV. The decay follows the Arrhenius law and E(A) is independent of temperature. At room temperature the metastable stat...

We investigate a model in which strong noise in a subpopulation creates a metastable state in an otherwise unstable two-population system. The induced metastable state is vortexlike, and its persistence time grows exponentially with the noise strength. A variety of distinct scaling relations are observed depending on the relative strength of the subpopulation noises.

Metastability is observed when a physical system is close to a first order phase transition. In this paper the metastable behavior of a two state reversible probabilistic cellular automaton with self–interaction is discussed. Depending on the self–interaction, competing metastable states arise and a behavior very similar to that of the three state Blume–Capel spin model is found.

Exited atoms may relax to the ground state by radiative decay, a process which is usually very fast (of order nanoseconds). However, quantum-mechanical selection rules can prevent such rapid decay, in which case these "metastable" states can have lifetimes of order seconds or longer. In this Letter, we determine experimentally the lifetime of the longest-lived neutral atomic state-the first exc...

Radiative decay from the excited 1P1 state to metastable 3P2 and 3P0 states is expected to limit attainable trapped atomic population in a magneto-optic trap of ytterbium (Yb) atoms. In experiments we have carried out with optical repumping of 3P0,2 states to 3P1, we observe enhancement of trapped atoms yield in the excited 1P1 state. The individual decay rate to each metastable state is measur...