Perturbations and absorption cross-section of infinite-radius black rings

We study scalar field perturbations on the background of non-supersymmetric black rings and of supersymmetric black rings. In the infinite-radius limit of these geometries, we are able to separate the wave equation, and to study wave phenomena in its vicinities. In this limit, we show that (i) both geometries are stable against scalar field perturbations, (ii) the absorption cross-section for scalar fields is equal to the area of the event horizon in the supersymmetric case, and proportional to it in the non-supersymmetric situation.Comment: ReVTeX4. 15 pages, 3 figures. References added. Published versio

AC Response of Thin Film Superconductors at Various Temperatures and Magnetic Fields

The basic theory of the linear and nonlinear ac susceptibilities of type-II superconductors is outlined for various geometries, e.g. circular and elliptic disks, rings, and strips of thin films or of thicker platelets in a perpendicular magnetic field. It is shown how the linear susceptibility depends on the linear complex resistivity or on the complex penetration depth, and the nonlinear susceptibility on the nonlinear dependence of the electric field on the current density and magnetic induction. The dependence of these constitutive laws on the temperature and on various material properties like pinning forces, pinning energies, structural defects, and granularity, leads to an implicit dependence of the ac susceptibility on these parameters.Comment: Latex file and 3 postscript figures, gives 13 pages text with figures built i

Constructing near-horizon geometries in supergravities with hidden symmetry

We consider the classification of near-horizon geometries in a general two-derivative theory of gravity coupled to abelian gauge fields and uncharged scalars in four and five dimensions, with one and two commuting rotational symmetries respectively. Assuming that the theory of gravity reduces to a 3d non-linear sigma model (as is typically the case for ungauged supergravities), we show that the functional form of any such near-horizon geometry may be determined. As an example we apply this to five dimensional minimal supergravity. We also construct an example of a five parameter near-horizon geometry solution to this theory with S^1 X S^2 horizon topology. We discuss its relation to the near-horizon geometries of the yet to be constructed extremal black rings with both electric and dipole charges.Comment: Latex, 30 pages. v2: discussion in section 5 modified and improved, other minor changes, references adde

Polynomial Rings and Topological Strings

An overview is given of the construction of a differential polynomial ring of functions on the moduli space of Calabi-Yau threefolds. These rings coincide with the rings of quasi modular forms for geometries with duality groups for which these are known. They provide a generalization thereof otherwise. Higher genus topological string amplitudes can be expressed in terms of the generators of this ring giving them a global description in the moduli space. An action of a duality exchanging large volume and conifold loci in moduli space is discussed. The connection to quasi modular forms is illustrated by the local P^2 geometry and its mirror, the generalization is extended to several compact geometries with one-dimensional moduli spaces.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the proceedings of the String-Math 2013 conferenc

Phase light curves for extrasolar Jupiters and Saturns

We predict how a remote observer would see the brightness variations of giant planets similar to Jupiter and Saturn as they orbit their central stars. We model the geometry of Jupiter, Saturn and Saturn's rings for varying orbital and viewing parameters. Scattering properties for the planets and rings at wavelenghts 0.6-0.7 microns follow Pioneer and Voyager observations, namely, planets are forward scattering and rings are backward scattering. Images of the planet with or without rings are simulated and used to calculate the disk-averaged luminosity varying along the orbit, that is, a light curve is generated. We find that the different scattering properties of Jupiter and Saturn (without rings) make a substantial difference in the shape of their light curves. Saturn-size rings increase the apparent luminosity of the planet by a factor of 2-3 for a wide range of geometries. Rings produce asymmetric light curves that are distinct from the light curve of the planet without rings. If radial velocity data are available for the planet, the effect of the ring on the light curve can be distinguished from effects due to orbital eccentricity. Non-ringed planets on eccentric orbits produce light curves with maxima shifted relative to the position of the maximum planet's phase. Given radial velocity data, the amount of the shift restricts the planet's unknown orbital inclination and therefore its mass. Combination of radial velocity data and a light curve for a non-ringed planet on an eccentric orbit can also be used to constrain the surface scattering properties of the planet. To summarize our results for the detectability of exoplanets in reflected light, we present a chart of light curve amplitudes of non-ringed planets for different eccentricities, inclinations, and the viewing azimuthal angles of the observer.Comment: 40 pages, 13 figures, submitted to Ap.