350 research outputs found
Sculpting the Extra Dimensions: Inflation from Codimension-2 Brane Back-reaction
We construct an inflationary model in 6D supergravity that is based on
explicit time-dependent solutions to the full higher-dimensional field
equations, back-reacting to the presence of a 4D inflaton rolling on a
space-filling codimension-2 source brane. Fluxes in the bulk stabilize all
moduli except the `breathing' modulus (that is generically present in
higher-dimensional supergravities). Back-reaction to the inflaton roll causes
the 4D Einstein-frame on-brane geometry to expand, a(t) ~ t^p, as well as
exciting the breathing mode and causing the two off-brane dimensions to expand,
r(t) ~ t^q. The model evades the general no-go theorems precluding 4D de Sitter
solutions, since adjustments to the brane-localized inflaton potential allow
the power p to be dialed to be arbitrarily large, with the 4D geometry becoming
de Sitter in the limit p -> infinity (in which case q = 0). Slow-roll solutions
give accelerated expansion with p large but finite, and q = 1/2. Because the
extra dimensions expand during inflation, the present-day 6D gravity scale can
be much smaller than it was when primordial fluctuations were generated -
potentially allowing TeV gravity now to be consistent with the much higher
gravity scale required at horizon-exit for observable primordial gravity waves.
Because p >> q, the 4 on-brane dimensions expand more quickly than the 2
off-brane ones, providing a framework for understanding why the observed four
dimensions are presently so much larger than the internal two. If uplifted to a
10D framework with 4 dimensions stabilized, the 6D evolution described here
could describe how two of the six extra dimensions evolve to become much larger
than the others, as a consequence of the enormous expansion of the 4 large
dimensions we can see.Comment: 27 pages + appendices, 2 figure
3-Form Flux Compactification of Salam-Sezgin Supergravity
The compactification of 6 dimensional Salam-Sezgin model in the presence of
3-form flux H is investigated. We find a torus topology for this
compactification with two cusps which are the places of branes, while at the
limit of large size L of the compact direction we also obtain sphere topology.
This resembles the Randall-Sundrum I,II model. The branes at one of the cusps
can be chosen to be 3- and 4-branes which fill our 4-dimensional space together
with the fact that H=0 at this position restores the Lorentz symmetry. This
compactification also provides an example for the so-called `time warp'
solution, [0812.5107 [hep-th]]. According to a no-go theorem in , the
time warp compactification violates the null energy condition. While the
theorem is quiet for d=6, our model gives a time warp compactification which
satisfies the null energy condition. We also derive the four dimensional
effective Planck mass which is not obvious due to the time warp nature of the
solution.Comment: 19 pages, 5 fig
Dielectric (p,q) Strings in a Throat
We calculate the (p,q) string spectrum in a warped deformed conifold using
the dielectric brane method. The spectrum is shown to have the same functional
form as in the dual picture of a wrapped D3-brane with electric and magnetic
fluxes on its world volume. The agreement is exact in the limit where q is
large. We also calculate the dielectric spectrum in the S-dual picture. The
spectrum in the S-dual picture has the same form as in the original picture but
it is not exactly S-dual invariant due to an interchange of Casimirs of the
non-Abelian gauge symmetries. We argue that in order to restore S-duality
invariance the non-Abelian brane action should be refined, probably by a better
prescription for the non-Abelian trace operation
Inflation in Realistic D-Brane Models
We find successful models of D-brane/anti-brane inflation within a string
context. We work within the GKP-KKLT class of type IIB string vacua for which
many moduli are stabilized through fluxes, as recently modified to include
`realistic' orbifold sectors containing standard-model type particles. We allow
all moduli to roll when searching for inflationary solutions and find that
inflation is not generic inasmuch as special choices must be made for the
parameters describing the vacuum. But given these choices inflation can occur
for a reasonably wide range of initial conditions for the brane and antibrane.
We find that D-terms associated with the orbifold blowing-up modes play an
important role in the inflationary dynamics. Since the models contain a
standard-model-like sector after inflation, they open up the possibility of
addressing reheating issues. We calculate predictions for the CMB temperature
fluctuations and find that these can be consistent with observations, but are
generically not deep within the scale-invariant regime and so can allow
appreciable values for as well as predicting a potentially
observable gravity-wave signal. It is also possible to generate some admixture
of isocurvature fluctuations.Comment: 39 pages, 21 figures; added references; identified parameters
combining successful inflation with strong warping, as needed for consistency
of the approximation
Dirac Born Infeld (DBI) Cosmic Strings
Motivated by brane physics, we consider the non-linear Dirac-Born-Infeld
(DBI) extension of the Abelian-Higgs model and study the corresponding cosmic
string configurations. The model is defined by a potential term, assumed to be
of the mexican hat form, and a DBI action for the kinetic terms. We show that
it is a continuous deformation of the Abelian-Higgs model, with a single
deformation parameter depending on a dimensionless combination of the scalar
coupling constant, the vacuum expectation value of the scalar field at
infinity, and the brane tension. By means of numerical calculations, we
investigate the profiles of the corresponding DBI-cosmic strings and prove that
they have a core which is narrower than that of Abelian-Higgs strings. We also
show that the corresponding action is smaller than in the standard case
suggesting that their formation could be favoured in brane models. Moreover we
show that the DBI-cosmic string solutions are non-pathological everywhere in
parameter space. Finally, in the limit in which the DBI model reduces to the
Bogomolnyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) Abelian-Higgs model, we find that DBI
cosmic strings are no longer BPS: rather they have positive binding energy. We
thus argue that, when they meet, two DBI strings will not bind with the
corresponding formation of a junction, and hence that a network of DBI strings
is likely to behave as a network of standard cosmic strings.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figure
Racetrack Inflation
We develop a model of eternal topological inflation using a racetrack
potential within the context of type IIB string theory with KKLT volume
stabilization. The inflaton field is the imaginary part of the K\"ahler
structure modulus, which is an axion-like field in the 4D effective field
theory. This model does not require moving branes, and in this sense it is
simpler than other models of string theory inflation. Contrary to
single-exponential models, the structure of the potential in this example
allows for the existence of saddle points between two degenerate local minima
for which the slow-roll conditions can be satisfied in a particular range of
parameter space. We conjecture that this type of inflation should be present in
more general realizations of the modular landscape. We also consider
`irrational' models having a dense set of minima, and discuss their possible
relevance for the cosmological constant problem.Comment: 23 pages 7 figures. The final version with minor modifications, to
appear in JHE
Multiple Inflation, Cosmic String Networks and the String Landscape
Motivated by the string landscape we examine scenarios for which inflation is
a two-step process, with a comparatively short inflationary epoch near the
string scale and a longer period at a much lower energy (like the TeV scale).
We quantify the number of -foldings of inflation which are required to yield
successful inflation within this picture. The constraints are very sensitive to
the equation of state during the epoch between the two inflationary periods, as
the extra-horizon modes can come back inside the horizon and become
reprocessed. We find that the number of -foldings during the first
inflationary epoch can be as small as 12, but only if the inter-inflationary
period is dominated by a network of cosmic strings (such as might be produced
if the initial inflationary period is due to the brane-antibrane mechanism). In
this case a further 20 -foldings of inflation would be required at lower
energies to solve the late universe's flatness and horizon problems.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures; v2: refences adde
Strings at the bottom of the deformed conifold
We present solutions of the equations of motion of macroscopic F and D
strings extending along the non compact 4D sections of the conifold geometry
and winding around the internal directions. The effect of the Goldstone modes
associated with the position of the strings on the internal manifold can be
seen as a current on the string that prevents it from collapsing and allows the
possibility of static 4D loops. Its relevance in recent models of brane
inflation is discussed.Comment: 9+1 page
Tensile Behaviour of Galvanised Grade 8.8 Bolt Assemblies in Fire
In structural fire engineering, the importance of bolt assemblies is often overlooked. Connection design uses the temperature-dependent bolt strength-reduction factors prescribed in Eurocode 3, despite the existence of two distinct failure modes under tension; necking of the bolt shank, and thread-stripping. While literature exists to predict failure modes at ambient temperature, there is no method for failure mode prediction for elevated temperatures where ductility is critical to avoid collapse. Galvanised M20 structural bolt assemblies and bolt material from a single batch have been tested under tension at a range of temperatures and strain-rates typical of those experienced in fire. Turned-down bolt test data produced stress-strain curves characteristic of different microstructures at ambient temperature, despite a tempered-martensitic microstructure being specified in the standards. The failure modes of bolt assemblies were found to be dependent on the as-received microstructure at ambient temperature. At elevated temperatures, however, only thread-stripping was observed
Inflation from Warped Space
A long period of inflation can be triggered when the inflaton is held up on
the top of a steep potential by the infrared end of a warped space. We first
study the field theory description of such a model. We then embed it in the
flux stabilized string compactification. Some special effects in the throat
reheating process by relativistic branes are discussed. We put all these
ingredients into a multi-throat brane inflationary scenario. The resulting
cosmic string tension and a multi-throat slow-roll model are also discussed.Comment: 39 pages; v4, added reference, to appear in JHE
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