Nematic Structure of Space-Time and its Topological Defects in 5D Kaluza-Klein Theory

We show, that classical Kaluza-Klein theory possesses hidden nematic dynamics. It appears as a consequence of 1+4-decomposition procedure, involving 4D observers 1-form \lambda. After extracting of boundary terms the, so called, "effective matter" part of 5D geometrical action becomes proportional to square of anholonomicity 3-form \lambda\wedge d\lambda. It can be interpreted as twist nematic elastic energy, responsible for elastic reaction of 5D space-time on presence of anholonomic 4D submanifold, defined by \lambda. We derive both 5D covariant and 1+4 forms of 5D nematic equilibrium equations, consider simple examples and discuss some 4D physical aspects of generic 5D nematic topological defects.Comment: Latex-2e, 14 pages, 1 Fig., submitted to GR

Lipschitz regularity for inner-variational equations

We obtain Lipschitz regularity results for a fairly general class of nonlinear first-order PDEs. These equations arise from the inner variation of certain energy integrals. Even in the simplest model case of the Dirichlet energy the inner-stationary solutions need not be differentiable everywhere; the Lipschitz continuity is the best possible. But the proofs, even in the Dirichlet case, turn out to relay on topological arguments. The appeal to the inner-stationary solutions in this context is motivated by the classical problems of existence and regularity of the energy-minimal deformations in the theory of harmonic mappings and certain mathematical models of nonlinear elasticity; specifically, neo-Hookian type problems.Comment: No figure

Gauge fields in graphene

The physics of graphene is acting as a bridge between quantum field theory and condensed matter physics due to the special quality of the graphene quasiparticles behaving as massless two dimensional Dirac fermions. Moreover, the particular structure of the 2D crystal lattice sets the arena to study and unify concepts from elasticity, topology and cosmology. In this paper we analyze these connections combining a pedagogical, intuitive approach with a more rigorous formalism when required.Comment: Update of the manuscript published on-line in Physics Reports. 43 pages, 18 figure

Localization, Stability, and Resolution of Topological Derivative Based Imaging Functionals in Elasticity

The focus of this work is on rigorous mathematical analysis of the topological derivative based detection algorithms for the localization of an elastic inclusion of vanishing characteristic size. A filtered quadratic misfit is considered and the performance of the topological derivative imaging functional resulting therefrom is analyzed. Our analysis reveals that the imaging functional may not attain its maximum at the location of the inclusion. Moreover, the resolution of the image is below the diffraction limit. Both phenomena are due to the coupling of pressure and shear waves propagating with different wave speeds and polarization directions. A novel imaging functional based on the weighted Helmholtz decomposition of the topological derivative is, therefore, introduced. It is thereby substantiated that the maximum of the imaging functional is attained at the location of the inclusion and the resolution is enhanced and it proves to be the diffraction limit. Finally, we investigate the stability of the proposed imaging functionals with respect to measurement and medium noises.Comment: 38 pages. A new subsection 6.4 is added where we consider the case of random Lam\'e coefficients. We thought this would corrupt the statistical stability of the imaging functional but our calculus shows that this is not the case as long as the random fluctuation is weak so that Born approximation is vali

Novel effects of strains in graphene and other two dimensional materials

The analysis of the electronic properties of strained or lattice deformed graphene combines ideas from classical condensed matter physics, soft matter, and geometrical aspects of quantum field theory (QFT) in curved spaces. Recent theoretical and experimental work shows the influence of strains in many properties of graphene not considered before, such as electronic transport, spin-orbit coupling, the formation of Moir\'e patterns, optics, ... There is also significant evidence of anharmonic effects, which can modify the structural properties of graphene. These phenomena are not restricted to graphene, and they are being intensively studied in other two dimensional materials, such as the metallic dichalcogenides. We review here recent developments related to the role of strains in the structural and electronic properties of graphene and other two dimensional compounds.Comment: 75 pages, 15 figures, review articl