On simultaneous diagonalization via congruence of real symmetric matrices

Simultaneous diagonalization via congruence (SDC) for more than two symmetric matrices has been a long standing problem. So far, the best attempt either relies on the existence of a semidefinite matrix pencil or casts on the complex field. The problem now is resolved without any assumption. We first propose necessary and sufficient conditions for SDC in case that at least one of the matrices is nonsingular. Otherwise, we show that the singular matrices can be decomposed into diagonal blocks such that the SDC of given matrices becomes equivalently the SDC of the sub-matrices. Most importantly, the sub-matrices now contain at least one nonsingular matrix. Applications to simplify some difficult optimization problems with the presence of SDC are mentioned

(2+1)-Dimensional Quantum Gravity as the Continuum Limit of Causal Dynamical Triangulations

We perform a non-perturbative sum over geometries in a (2+1)-dimensional quantum gravity model given in terms of Causal Dynamical Triangulations. Inspired by the concept of triangulations of product type introduced previously, we impose an additional notion of order on the discrete, causal geometries. This simplifies the combinatorial problem of counting geometries just enough to enable us to calculate the transfer matrix between boundary states labelled by the area of the spatial universe, as well as the corresponding quantum Hamiltonian of the continuum theory. This is the first time in dimension larger than two that a Hamiltonian has been derived from such a model by mainly analytical means, and opens the way for a better understanding of scaling and renormalization issues.Comment: 38 pages, 13 figure

Quantum Einstein Gravity

We give a pedagogical introduction to the basic ideas and concepts of the Asymptotic Safety program in Quantum Einstein Gravity. Using the continuum approach based upon the effective average action, we summarize the state of the art of the field with a particular focus on the evidence supporting the existence of the non-trivial renormalization group fixed point at the heart of the construction. As an application, the multifractal structure of the emerging space-times is discussed in detail. In particular, we compare the continuum prediction for their spectral dimension with Monte Carlo data from the Causal Dynamical Triangulation approach.Comment: 87 pages, 13 figures, review article prepared for the New Journal of Physics focus issue on Quantum Einstein Gravit

Dynamical control of correlated states in a square quantum dot

In the limit of low particle density, electrons confined to a quantum dot form strongly correlated states termed Wigner molecules, in which the Coulomb interaction causes the electrons to become highly localized in space. By using an effective model of Hubbard-type to describe these states, we investigate how an oscillatory electric field can drive the dynamics of a two-electron Wigner molecule held in a square quantum dot. We find that, for certain combinations of frequency and strength of the applied field, the tunneling between various charge configurations can be strongly quenched, and we relate this phenomenon to the presence of anti-crossings in the Floquet quasi-energy spectrum. We further obtain simple analytic expressions for the location of these anti-crossings, which allows the effective parameters for a given quantum dot to be directly measured in experiment, and suggests the exciting possibility of using ac-fields to control the time evolution of entangled states in mesoscopic devices.Comment: Replaced with version to be published in Phys. Rev.

From General Relativity to Quantum Gravity

In general relativity (GR), spacetime geometry is no longer just a background arena but a physical and dynamical entity with its own degrees of freedom. We present an overview of approaches to quantum gravity in which this central feature of GR is at the forefront. However, the short distance dynamics in the quantum theory are quite different from those of GR and classical spacetimes and gravitons emerge only in a suitable limit. Our emphasis is on communicating the key strategies, the main results and open issues. In the spirit of this volume, we focus on a few avenues that have led to the most significant advances over the past 2-3 decades.Comment: To appear in \emph{General Relativity and Gravitation: A Centennial Survey}, commissioned by the International Society for General Relativity and Gravitation and to be published by Cambridge University Press. Abhay Ashtekar served as the `coordinating author' and combined the three contribution

Exceptional Gegenbauer polynomials via isospectral deformation

In this paper, we show how to construct exceptional orthogonal polynomials (XOP) using isospectral deformations of classical orthogonal polynomials. The construction is based on confluent Darboux transformations, where repeated factorizations at the same eigenvalue are allowed. These factorizations allow us to construct Sturm–Liouville problems with polynomial eigenfunctions that have an arbitrary number of realvalued parameters. We illustrate this new construction by exhibiting the class of deformed Gegenbauer polynomials, which are XOP families that are isospectral deformations of classical Gegenbauer polynomials.Spanish MINECO through Juan de la Cierva fellowship FJC2019-039681-I, Spanish State Research Agency through BCAM Severo Ochoa excellence accreditation SEV-2017-0718, Basque Government through the BERC Programme 2022-2025, projects PGC2018-096504-B-C33 and RTI2018-100754-B-I00 from FEDER/Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion-Agencia Estatal de Investigacion, the European Union under the 2014-2020 ERDF Operational Programme, and the Department of Economy, Knowledge, Business and University of the Regional Government of Andalusia (project FEDER-UCA18-108393

Exceptional Gegenbauer polynomials via isospectral deformation

In this paper, we show how to construct exceptional orthogonal polynomials (XOP) using isospectral deformations of classical orthogonal polynomials. The construction is based on confluent Darboux transformations, where repeated factorizations at the same eigenvalue are allowed. These factorizations allow us to construct Sturm-Liouville problems with polynomial eigenfunctions that have an arbitrary number of realvalued parameters. We illustrate this new construction by exhibiting the class of deformed Gegenbauer polynomials, which are XOP families that are isospectral deformations of classical Gegenbauer polynomials