Positive approximations of the inverse of fractional powers of SPD M-matrices

This study is motivated by the recent development in the fractional calculus and its applications. During last few years, several different techniques are proposed to localize the nonlocal fractional diffusion operator. They are based on transformation of the original problem to a local elliptic or pseudoparabolic problem, or to an integral representation of the solution, thus increasing the dimension of the computational domain. More recently, an alternative approach aimed at reducing the computational complexity was developed. The linear algebraic system $\cal A^\alpha \bf u=\bf f$, $0< \alpha <1$ is considered, where $\cal A$ is a properly normalized (scalded) symmetric and positive definite matrix obtained from finite element or finite difference approximation of second order elliptic problems in $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^d$, $d=1,2,3$. The method is based on best uniform rational approximations (BURA) of the function $t^{\beta-\alpha}$ for $0 < t \le 1$ and natural $\beta$. The maximum principles are among the major qualitative properties of linear elliptic operators/PDEs. In many studies and applications, it is important that such properties are preserved by the selected numerical solution method. In this paper we present and analyze the properties of positive approximations of $\cal A^{-\alpha}$ obtained by the BURA technique. Sufficient conditions for positiveness are proven, complemented by sharp error estimates. The theoretical results are supported by representative numerical tests

QCD Sum Rules and Applications to Nuclear Physics

Applications of QCD sum-rule methods to the physics of nuclei are reviewed, with an emphasis on calculations of baryon self-energies in infinite nuclear matter. The sum-rule approach relates spectral properties of hadrons propagating in the finite-density medium, such as optical potentials for quasinucleons, to matrix elements of QCD composite operators (condensates). The vacuum formalism for QCD sum rules is generalized to finite density, and the strategy and implementation of the approach is discussed. Predictions for baryon self-energies are compared to those suggested by relativistic nuclear physics phenomenology. Sum rules for vector mesons in dense nuclear matter are also considered.Comment: 92 pages, ReVTeX, 9 figures can be obtained upon request (to Xuemin Jin

Degenerate Stars and Gravitational Collapse in AdS/CFT

We construct composite CFT operators from a large number of fermionic primary fields corresponding to states that are holographically dual to a zero temperature Fermi gas in AdS space. We identify a large N regime in which the fermions behave as free particles. In the hydrodynamic limit the Fermi gas forms a degenerate star with a radius determined by the Fermi level, and a mass and angular momentum that exactly matches the boundary calculations. Next we consider an interacting regime, and calculate the effect of the gravitational back-reaction on the radius and the mass of the star using the Tolman-Oppenheimer-Volkoff equations. Ignoring other interactions, we determine the "Chandrasekhar limit" beyond which the degenerate star (presumably) undergoes gravitational collapse towards a black hole. This is interpreted on the boundary as a high density phase transition from a cold baryonic phase to a hot deconfined phase.Comment: 75 page

Magnons in the ferromagnetic Kondo-lattice model

The magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic Kondo-lattice model (FKLM) are investigated. Starting from an analysis of the magnon spectrum in the spin-wave regime, we examine the ferromagnetic stability as a function of the occupation of the conduction band $n$ and the strength $J$ of the coupling between the localised moments and the conduction electrons. From the properties of the spin-wave stiffness $D$ the ferromagnetic phase at zero temperature is derived. Using an approximate formula the critical temperature $T_c$ is calculated as a function of $J$ and $n$.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, to appear in phys. stat. sol.