Class of colliding plane waves in terms of Jacobi functions

We present a general class of noncolinear colliding wave solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations given in terms of fourth order polynomials, which in turn can be expressed through Jacobi functions depending on generalized advanced and retarded time coordinates. The solutions are characterized by six free parameters. The parameters can be chosen in such a way to avoid the generic focusing singularityComment: 25 pages, Latex, uses revtex macro

A set of basis functions to improve numerical calculation of Mie scattering in the Chandrasekhar-Sekera representation

Numerical calculations of light propagation in random media demand the multiply scattered Stokes intensities to be written in a common fixed reference. A particularly useful way to perform automatically these basis transformations is to write the scattered intensities in the Chandrasekhar-Sekera representation. This representation produces side effects so that numerical tests are necessary to deal with the limiting situations of the small-particle (Rayleigh) and forward/backward scattering. Here a new set of basis functions is presented to describe the scattering of light by spherical particles (Mie scattering) in the Chandrasekhar-Sekera representation. These basis functions can be implemented in a new algorithm to calculate the Mie scattering amplitudes, which leads straightforwardly to all the scattering quantities. In contrast to the traditional implementation, this set of basis functions implies to natural numerical convergence to the above mentioned limiting cases, which are thoroughly discussed.Comment: 8 pages and 2 figure

Chandrasekhar polynomials - A brief review (Analysis of inverse problems through partial differential equations and related topics)

A review on the Chandrasekhar polynomials is given. The polynomials often appear in transport theory. The relation to the method of rotated reference frames for the three-dimensional radiative transport equation is clarified

Chandrasekhar theory of electromagnetic scattering from strongly conducting ellipsoidal targets

Exactly soluble models in the theory of electromagnetic propagation and scattering are essentially restricted to horizontally stratified or spherically symmetric geometries, with results also available for certain waveguide geometries. However, there are a number of new problems in remote sensing and classification of buried compact metallic targets that require a wider class of solutions that, if not exact, at least support rapid numerical evaluation. Here, the exact Chandrasekhar theory of the electrostatics of heterogeneously charged \emph{ellipsoids} is used to develop a "mean field" perturbation theory of low frequency electrodynamics of highly conducting ellipsoidal targets, in insulating or weakly conducting backgrounds. The theory is based formally on an expansion in the parameter $\eta_s = L_s/\delta_s(\omega)$, where $L_s$ is the characteristic linear size of the scatterer and $\delta_s(\omega)$ is the electromagnetic skin depth. The theory is then extended to a numerically efficient description of the intermediate-to-late-time dynamics following an excitation pulse. As verified via comparisons with experimental data taken using artificial spheroidal targets, when combined with a previously developed theory of the high frequency, early-time regime, these results serve to cover the entire dynamic range encountered in typical measurements.Comment: 36 pages, 10 figure

Nonminimal derivative coupling scalar-tensor theories: odd-parity perturbations and black hole stability

We derive the odd parity perturbation equation in scalar-tensor theories with a non minimal kinetic coupling sector of the general Horndeski theory, where the kinetic term is coupled to the metric and the Einstein tensor. We derive the potential of the perturbation, by identifying a master function and switching to tortoise coordinates. We then prove the mode stability under linear odd- parity perturbations of hairy black holes in this sector of Horndeski theory, when a cosmological constant term in the action is included. Finally, we comment on the existence of slowly rotating black hole solutions in this setup and discuss their implications on the physics of compact objects configurations, such as neutron stars.Comment: Important references adde

Historical and other Remarks on Hidden Symmetries

Apart from a few remarks on lattice systems with global or gauge symmetries, most of this talk is devoted to some interesting ancient examples of symmetries and their breakdowns in elasticity theory and hydrodynamics. Since Galois Theory is in many ways the origin of group theory as a tool to analyse (hidden) symmetries, a brief review of this profound mathematical theory is also given.Comment: 20 pages, 6 postscript figures included, uses AMS-Te

Fermions in the Rindler spacetime

In this paper we study the Dirac equation in the Rindler spacetime. The solution of the wave equation in an accelerated reference frame is obtained. The differential equation associated to this wave equation is mapped into a Sturm-Liouville problem of a Schr\"odinger-like equation. We derive a compact expression for the energy spectrum associated with the Dirac equation in an accelerated reference. It is shown that the noninertial effect of the accelerated reference frame mimics an external potential in the Dirac equation and, moreover, allows the formation of bound states

The massive Dirac field on a rotating black hole spacetime: Angular solutions

The massive Dirac equation on a Kerr-Newman background may be solved by the method of separation of variables. The radial and angular equations are coupled via an angular eigenvalue, which is determined from the Chandrasekhar-Page (CP) equation. Obtaining accurate angular eigenvalues is a key step in studying scattering, absorption and emission of the fermionic field. Here we introduce a new method for finding solutions of the CP equation. First, we introduce a novel representation for the spin-half spherical harmonics. Next, we decompose the angular solutions of the CP equation (the mass-dependent spin-half spheroidal harmonics) in the spherical basis. The method yields a three-term recurrence relation which may be solved numerically via continued-fraction methods, or perturbatively to obtain a series expansion for the eigenvalues. In the case $\mu = \pm \omega$ (where $\omega$ and $\mu$ are the frequency and mass of the fermion) we obtain eigenvalues and eigenfunctions in closed form. We study the eigenvalue spectrum, and the zeros of the maximally co-rotating mode. We compare our results with previous studies, and uncover and correct some errors in the literature. We provide series expansions, tables of eigenvalues and numerical fits across a wide parameter range, and present plots of a selection of eigenfunctions. It is hoped this study will be a useful resource for all researchers interested in the Dirac equation on a rotating black hole background.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figures. Minor corrections, to match published versio

Solution of the Dirac equation in the rotating Bertotti-Robinson spacetime

The Dirac equation is solved in the rotating Bertotti-Robinson spacetime. The set of equations representing the Dirac equation in the Newman-Penrose formalism is decoupled into an axial and angular part. The axial equation, which is independent of mass, is solved exactly in terms of hypergeometric functions. The angular equation is considered both for massless (neutrino) and massive spin-(1/2) particles. For the neutrinos, it is shown that the angular equation admits an exact solution in terms of the confluent Heun equation. In the existence of mass, the angular equation does not allow an analytical solution, however, it is expressible as a set of first order differential equations apt for numerical study.Comment: 17 pages, no figure. Appeared in JMP (May, 2008

Stochastic Methods and Dynamical Wave-function Collapse

This brief article reviews stochastic processes as relevant to dynamical models of wave-function collapse, and is supplemental material for the review article arXiv:1204.4325Comment: 17 pages, supplemental material to arXiv:1204.4325 [quant-ph], separated from original review article to meet Rev. Mod. Phys. page limit requiremen