Effects of a mixed vector-scalar kink-like potential for spinless particles in two-dimensional spacetime

The intrinsically relativistic problem of spinless particles subject to a general mixing of vector and scalar kink-like potentials ($\sim \mathrm{tanh} ,\gamma x$) is investigated. The problem is mapped into the exactly solvable Surm-Liouville problem with the Rosen-Morse potential and exact bounded solutions for particles and antiparticles are found. The behaviour of the spectrum is discussed in some detail. An apparent paradox concerning the uncertainty principle is solved by recurring to the concept of effective Compton wavelength.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

A Laplace transform approach to the quantum harmonic oscillator

The one-dimensional quantum harmonic oscillator problem is examined via the Laplace transform method. The stationary states are determined by requiring definite parity and good behaviour of the eigenfunction at the origin and at infinity

Absence of Klein's paradox for massive bosons coupled by nonminimal vector interactions

A few properties of the nonminimal vector interactions in the Duffin-Kemmer-Petiau theory are revised. In particular, it is shown that the space component of the nonminimal vector interaction plays a peremptory role for confining bosons whereas its time component contributes to the leakage. Scattering in a square step potential with proper boundary conditions is used to show that Klein's paradox does not manifest in the case of a nonminimal vector coupling

Tensor coupling and pseudospin symmetry in nuclei

In this work we study the contribution of the isoscalar tensor coupling to the realization of pseudospin symmetry in nuclei. Using realistic values for the tensor coupling strength, we show that this coupling reduces noticeably the pseudospin splittings, especially for single-particle levels near the Fermi surface. By using an energy decomposition of the pseudospin energy splittings, we show that the changes in these splittings come by mainly through the changes induced in the lower radial wave function for the low-lying pseudospin partners, and by changes in the expectation value of the pseudospin-orbit coupling term for surface partners. This allows us to confirm the conclusion already reached in previous studies, namely that the pseudospin symmetry in nuclei is of a dynamical nature.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, uses REVTeX macro

The influence of statistical properties of Fourier coefficients on random surfaces

Many examples of natural systems can be described by random Gaussian surfaces. Much can be learned by analyzing the Fourier expansion of the surfaces, from which it is possible to determine the corresponding Hurst exponent and consequently establish the presence of scale invariance. We show that this symmetry is not affected by the distribution of the modulus of the Fourier coefficients. Furthermore, we investigate the role of the Fourier phases of random surfaces. In particular, we show how the surface is affected by a non-uniform distribution of phases

Damped and sub-damped Lyman-α absorbers in z > 4 QSOs

We present the results of a survey of damped (DLA, log N(H I) > 20.3) and sub-damped Lyman-α systems (19.5 2.55 along the lines-of-sight to 77 quasars with emission redshifts in the range 4 19.5 were detected of which 40 systems are damped Lyman-α systems for an absorption length of ΔX = 378. About half of the lines of sight of this homogeneous survey have never been investigated for DLAs. We study the evolution with redshift of the cosmological density of the neutral gas and find, consistent with previous studies at similar resolution, that Ω_(DLA,HI) decreases at z > 3.5. The overall cosmological evolution of Ω_(HI) shows a peak around this redshift. The H I column density distribution for log N(H I) ≥ 20.3 is fitted, consistent with previous surveys, with a single power-law of index α ~ −1.8 ± 0.25. This power-law overpredicts data at the high-end and a second, much steeper, power-law (or a gamma function) is needed. There is a flattening of the function at lower H I column densities with an index of α ~ −1.4 for the column density range log N(H I) = 19.5−21. The fraction of H I mass in sub-DLAs is of the order of 30%. The H I column density distribution does not evolve strongly from z ~ 2.5 to z ~ 4.5