Bifundamental Superfluids from Holography

We study the holographic dual of a (2+1)-dimensional s-wave superfluid that breaks an abelian U(1) x U(1) global symmetry group to the diagonal U(1)_V. The model is inspired by Sen's tachyonic action, and the operator that condenses transforms in the bifundamental representation of the symmetry group. We focus on two configurations: the first one describes a marginal operator, and the phase diagram at finite temperature contains a first or a second order phase transition, depending on the parameters that determine the theory. In the second model the operator is relevant and the finite temperature transitions are always second order. In the latter case the conductivity for the current associated to the broken symmetry shows quasiparticle excitations at low temperatures, with mass given by the width of the superconducting gap. The suppression of spectral weight at low frequencies is also observed in the conductivity associated to the conserved symmetry, for which the DC value decreases as the temperature is reduced.Comment: 30 pages, 14 figures; v2: refs. added, plots and discussion improved, typos corrected, published versio

The CP-odd sector and θ\theta dynamics in holographic QCD

The holographic model of V-QCD is used to analyze the physics of QCD in the Veneziano large-N limit. An unprecedented analysis of the CP-odd physics is performed going beyond the level of effective field theories. The structure of holographic saddle-points at finite $\theta$ is determined, as well as its interplay with chiral symmetry breaking. Many observables (vacuum energy and higher-order susceptibilities, singlet and non-singlet masses and mixings) are computed as functions of $\theta$ and the quark mass $m$. Wherever applicable the results are compared to those of chiral Lagrangians, finding agreement. In particular, we recover the Witten-Veneziano formula in the small $x\to 0$ limit, we compute the $\theta$-dependence of the pion mass and we derive the hyperscaling relation for the topological susceptibility in the conformal window in terms of the quark mass.Comment: 58 pages plus appendices, 19 figures. V2: section 3.1 improved, typos corrected, published versio

V-QCD: Spectra, the dilaton and the S-parameter

Zero temperature spectra of mesons and glueballs are analyzed in a class of holographic bottom-up models for QCD (named V-QCD), as a function of x = N_f/N_c with the full back-reaction included. It is found that spectra are discrete and gapped (modulo the pions) in the QCD regime, for x below the critical value x_c where the conformal transition takes place. The masses uniformly converge to zero in the walking region x -> x_c due to Miransky scaling. The ratio of masses all asymptote to non-zero constants as x -> x_c and therefore there is no "dilaton" in the spectrum. The S-parameter is computed and found to be of O(1) in the walking regime.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figure

The discontinuities of conformal transitions and mass spectra of V-QCD

Zero temperature spectra of mesons and glueballs are analyzed in a class of holographic bottom-up models for QCD in the Veneziano limit, N_c -> infinity, N_f -> infinity, with x = N_f/N_c fixed (V-QCD). The backreaction of flavor on color is fully included. It is found that spectra are discrete and gapped (modulo the pions) in the QCD regime, for x below the critical value x_c where the conformal transition takes place. The masses uniformly converge to zero in the walking region x -> x_c^- due to Miransky scaling. All the ratios of masses asymptote to non-zero constants as x -> x_c^- and therefore there is no "dilaton" in the spectrum. The S-parameter is computed and found to be of O(1) in units of N_f N_c in the walking regime, while it is always an increasing function of x. This indicates the presence of a subtle discontinuity of correlation functions across the conformal transition at x = x_c.Comment: 45 pages plus appendices, 13 figure

Holographic charge localization at brane intersections

Using gauge/gravity duality, we investigate charge localization near an interface in a strongly coupled system. For this purpose we consider a top-down holographic model and determine its conductivities. Our model corresponds to a holographic interface which localizes charge around a (1+1)-dimensional defect in a (2+1)-dimensional system. The setup consists of a D3/D5 intersection at finite temperature and charge density. We work in the probe limit, and consider massive embeddings of a D5-brane where the mass depends on one of the field theory spatial directions, with a profile interpolating between a negative and a positive value. We compute the conductivity in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the interface. For the latter case we are able to express the DC conductivity as a function of background horizon data. At the interface, the DC conductivity in the parallel direction is enhanced up to five times with respect to that in the orthogonal one. We study the implications of broken translation invariance for the AC and DC conductivities.Comment: 36 pages, 12 figures. v2: typos corrected, JHEP versio

Executive Function and Learned Helplessness in Adolescents with Chronic Illness

Previous research has revealed that children with chronic illnesses are significantly more likely to experience academic, behavioral, and emotional difficulties. The current study hypothesized that these difficulties could be impacted by the development of learned helplessness and/or difficulties with executive functioning. The proposed theoretical model suggests that chronic illness variables have an effect on learned helplessness and executive functioning. In addition, it was hypothesized that these factors lead to an increased risk of depressive symptomatology. The current study revealed significant differences between the chronic illness and control group in parent-reported executive function abilities; however, there were no significant differences in self-reported executive function, learned helplessness or depressive symptomatology. Parent-reported control of illness predicted parent- and self-reported executive function and parent-reported depression. It did not predict learned helplessness or self-reported depression. The number of medications taken by the chronic illness group did not predict executive function, learned helplessness, or depression. In addition, learned helplessness predicted parent- and self-reported depression. Several strong correlations were found, including associations between parent-reported executive function and self-reported executive function, and parent-reported depression and parent- and self-reported executive function. In addition, there were strong associations between self-reported executive function and parent- and self-reported depression. The model of learned helplessness, executive function, and parent-reported control of illness did not significantly predict parent-reported depression. This information may be used to improve intervention efforts directed at children with chronic illnesses