Compact objects in conformal nonlinear electrodynamics

In this paper we consider a special case of vacuum non-linear electrodynamics with a stress-energy tensor conformal to the Maxwell theory. Distinctive features of this model are: the absence of dimensional parameter for non-linearity description and a very simple form of the dominant energy condition, which can be easily verified in an arbitrary pseudo-riemannian space-time with the consequent constrains on the model parameters. In this paper we analyse some properties of astrophysical compact objects coupled to conformal vacuum non-linear electrodynamics

A Causal Order for Spacetimes with C0C^0 Lorentzian Metrics: Proof of Compactness of the Space of Causal Curves

We recast the tools of ``global causal analysis'' in accord with an approach to the subject animated by two distinctive features: a thoroughgoing reliance on order-theoretic concepts, and a utilization of the Vietoris topology for the space of closed subsets of a compact set. We are led to work with a new causal relation which we call $K^+$, and in terms of it we formulate extended definitions of concepts like causal curve and global hyperbolicity. In particular we prove that, in a spacetime \M which is free of causal cycles, one may define a causal curve simply as a compact connected subset of \M which is linearly ordered by $K^+$. Our definitions all make sense for arbitrary $C^0$ metrics (and even for certain metrics which fail to be invertible in places). Using this feature, we prove for a general $C^0$ metric, the familiar theorem that the space of causal curves between any two compact subsets of a globally hyperbolic spacetime is compact. We feel that our approach, in addition to yielding a more general theorem, simplifies and clarifies the reasoning involved. Our results have application in a recent positive energy theorem, and may also prove useful in the study of topology change. We have tried to make our treatment self-contained by including proofs of all the facts we use which are not widely available in reference works on topology and differential geometry.Comment: Two small revisions to accomodate errors brought to our attention by R.S. Garcia. No change to chief results. 33 page

High-Precision Localization Using Ground Texture

Location-aware applications play an increasingly critical role in everyday life. However, satellite-based localization (e.g., GPS) has limited accuracy and can be unusable in dense urban areas and indoors. We introduce an image-based global localization system that is accurate to a few millimeters and performs reliable localization both indoors and outside. The key idea is to capture and index distinctive local keypoints in ground textures. This is based on the observation that ground textures including wood, carpet, tile, concrete, and asphalt may look random and homogeneous, but all contain cracks, scratches, or unique arrangements of fibers. These imperfections are persistent, and can serve as local features. Our system incorporates a downward-facing camera to capture the fine texture of the ground, together with an image processing pipeline that locates the captured texture patch in a compact database constructed offline. We demonstrate the capability of our system to robustly, accurately, and quickly locate test images on various types of outdoor and indoor ground surfaces

Automated Map Reading: Image Based Localisation in 2-D Maps Using Binary Semantic Descriptors

We describe a novel approach to image based localisation in urban environments using semantic matching between images and a 2-D map. It contrasts with the vast majority of existing approaches which use image to image database matching. We use highly compact binary descriptors to represent semantic features at locations, significantly increasing scalability compared with existing methods and having the potential for greater invariance to variable imaging conditions. The approach is also more akin to human map reading, making it more suited to human-system interaction. The binary descriptors indicate the presence or not of semantic features relating to buildings and road junctions in discrete viewing directions. We use CNN classifiers to detect the features in images and match descriptor estimates with a database of location tagged descriptors derived from the 2-D map. In isolation, the descriptors are not sufficiently discriminative, but when concatenated sequentially along a route, their combination becomes highly distinctive and allows localisation even when using non-perfect classifiers. Performance is further improved by taking into account left or right turns over a route. Experimental results obtained using Google StreetView and OpenStreetMap data show that the approach has considerable potential, achieving localisation accuracy of around 85% using routes corresponding to approximately 200 meters.Comment: 8 pages, submitted to IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems 201

Hawking emission from quantum gravity black holes

We address the issue of modelling quantum gravity effects in the evaporation of higher dimensional black holes in order to go beyond the usual semi-classical approximation. After reviewing the existing six families of quantum gravity corrected black hole geometries, we focus our work on non-commutative geometry inspired black holes, which encode model independent characteristics, are unaffected by the quantum back reaction and have an analytical form compact enough for numerical simulations. We consider the higher dimensional, spherically symmetric case and we proceed with a complete analysis of the brane/bulk emission for scalar fields. The key feature which makes the evaporation of non-commutative black holes so peculiar is the possibility of having a maximum temperature. Contrary to what happens with classical Schwarzschild black holes, the emission is dominated by low frequency field modes on the brane. This is a distinctive and potentially testable signature which might disclose further features about the nature of quantum gravity.Comment: 36 pages, 18 figures, v2: updated reference list, minor corrections, version matching that published on JHE

Windings of twisted strings

Twistor string models have been known for more than a decade now but have come back under the spotlight recently with the advent of the scattering equation formalism which has greatly generalized the scope of these models. A striking ubiquitous feature of these models has always been that, contrary to usual string theory, they do not admit vibrational modes and thus describe only conventional field theory. In this paper we report on the surprising discovery of a whole new sector of one of these theories which we call "twisted strings," when spacetime has compact directions. We find that the spectrum is enhanced from a finite number of states to an infinite number of interacting higher spin massive states. We describe both bosonic and world sheet supersymmetric models, their spectra and scattering amplitudes. These models have distinctive features of both string and field theory, for example they are invariant under stringy T-duality but have the high energy behavior typical of field theory. Therefore they describe a new kind of field theories in target space, sitting on their own halfway between string and field theory.Comment: 6 pages. v2 : a few clarifications and references added. v3 : published PRD versio

Validation of the CMS Magnetic Field Map

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) is a general purpose detector, designed to run at the highest luminosity at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Its distinctive features include a 4 T superconducting solenoid with 6-m-diameter by 12.5-m-length free bore, enclosed inside a 10,000-ton return yoke made of construction steel. The return yoke consists of five dodecagonal three-layered barrel wheels and four end-cap disks at each end comprised of steel blocks up to 620 mm thick, which serve as the absorber plates of the muon detection system. To measure the field in and around the steel, a system of 22 flux loops and 82 3-D Hall sensors is installed on the return yoke blocks. A TOSCA 3-D model of the CMS magnet is developed to describe the magnetic field everywhere outside the tracking volume measured with the field-mapping machine. The magnetic field description is compared with the measurements and discussed.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, presented at 4th International Conference on Superconductivity and Magnetism 2014, April 27 - May 2, 2014, Antalya, Turkey. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1605.08778; text overlap with arXiv:1212.165