Non-Abelian coset string backgrounds from asymptotic and initial data

We describe hierarchies of exact string backgrounds obtained as non-Abelian cosets of orthogonal groups and having a space--time realization in terms of gauged WZW models. For each member in these hierarchies, the target-space backgrounds are generated by the ``boundary'' backgrounds of the next member. We explicitly demonstrate that this property holds to all orders in $\alpha'$. It is a consequence of the existence of an integrable marginal operator build on, generically, non-Abelian parafermion bilinears. These are dressed with the dilaton supported by the extra radial dimension, whose asymptotic value defines the boundary. Depending on the hierarchy, this boundary can be time-like or space-like with, in the latter case, potential cosmological applications.Comment: 26 page

Bose-Einstein condensation in linear sigma model at Hartree and large N approximation

The BEC of charged pions is investigated in the framework of O(4) linear sigma model. By using Cornwall-Jackiw-Tomboulis formalism, we have derived the gap equations for the effective masses of the mesons at finite temperature and finite isospin density. The BEC is discussed in chiral limit and non-chiral limit at Hartree approximation and also at large N approximation.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure

NS5-branes on an ellipsis and novel marginal deformations with parafermions

We consider NS5-branes distributed along the circumference of an ellipsis and explicitly construct the corresponding gravitational background. This provides a continuous line of deformations between the limiting cases, considered before, in which the ellipsis degenerates into a circle or into a bar. We show that a slight deformation of the background corresponding to a circle distribution into an ellipsoidal one is described by a novel non-factorizable marginal perturbation of bilinears of dressed parafermions. The latter are naturally defined for the circle case since, as it was shown in the past, the background corresponds to an orbifold of the exact conformal field theory coset model SU(2)/U(1) times SL(2,R)/U(1). We explore the possibility to define parafermionic objects at generic points of the ellipsoidal families of backgrounds away from the circle point. We also discuss a new limiting case in which the ellipsis degenerates into two infinitely stretched parallel bars and show that the background is related to the Eguchi-Hanson metric, via T-duality.Comment: 24 page

G3-homogeneous gravitational instantons

We provide an exhaustive classification of self-dual four-dimensional gravitational instantons foliated with three-dimensional homogeneous spaces, i.e. homogeneous self-dual metrics on four-dimensional Euclidean spaces admitting a Bianchi simply transitive isometry group. The classification pattern is based on the algebra homomorphisms relating the Bianchi group and the duality group SO(3). New and general solutions are found for Bianchi III.Comment: 24 pages, few correction

Time domain add-drop multiplexing scheme enhanced using a saw-tooth pulse shaper

We experimentally demonstrate the use of saw-tooth optical pulses, which are shaped using a fiber Bragg grating, to achieve robust and high performance time-domain add-drop multiplexing in a scheme based on cross-phase (XPM) modulation in an optical fiber, with subsequent offset filtering. As compared to the use of more conventional pulse shapes, such as Gaussian pulses of a similar pulse width, the purpose-shaped saw-tooth pulses allow higher extinction ratios for the add and drop windows and significant improvements in the receiver sensitivity for the dropped and added channels

Phase regeneration of QPSK signal in SOA using single-stage, wavelength converting PSA

We demonstrate, for the first time, all-optical phase regeneration of a quaternary phase shift keying (QPSK) signal through phase sensitive amplification (PSA) in nonlinear semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), using a scheme only previously demonstrated in highly nonlinear fibre (HNLF). We make use of a highly tunable phase quantising scheme to circumvent some of the limitations imposed by the use of SOAs and show that it may function in either a conjugating or non-conjugating manner

SOA-based, idler-free phase quantiser

Energy consumption, system complexity and potential for integration are important factors when considering the suitability of all-optical processing, and depend upon both the scheme used and the medium in which it is performed. We have recently proposed a simple, wavelength-converting phase quantising scheme based on an idler-free phase-sensitive amplifier, notable for its flexibility of operating power and relative compactness [1]. We have demonstrated its performance for QPSK regeneration using an operating power of 24 dBm in 300 m of highly nonlinear fibre (HNLF). Despite offering low loss and high net nonlinearity, the size and geometry of the HNLF do not make it suitable for integration in a photonic device. Semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) on the other hand, offer a particularly compact medium for nonlinear signal processing, combining an amplifier and nonlinear medium in one device. BPSK phase regeneration has been demonstrated in SOAs [2]; in this paper we experimentally demonstrate, to our knowledge, the first realisation of QPSK phase regeneration in SOAs, making use of the above idler-free scheme to realise a compact and more easily integrated QPSK regenerator

Computing the set of Epsilon-efficient solutions in multiobjective space mission design

In this work, we consider multiobjective space mission design problems. We will start from the need, from a practical point of view, to consider in addition to the (Pareto) optimal solutions also nearly optimal ones. In fact, extending the set of solutions for a given mission to those nearly optimal significantly increases the number of options for the decision maker and gives a measure of the size of the launch windows corresponding to each optimal solution, i.e., a measure of its robustness. Whereas the possible loss of such approximate solutions compared to optimal—and possibly even ‘better’—ones is dispensable. For this, we will examine several typical problems in space trajectory design—a biimpulsive transfer from the Earth to the asteroid Apophis and two low-thrust multigravity assist transfers—and demonstrate the possible benefit of the novel approach. Further, we will present a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm which is designed for this purpose

All-optical phase-regenerative multicasting of 40 Gbit/s DPSK signal in a degenerate phase sensitive amplifier

We demonstrate all-optical 1-to-5 differential phase-shift keyed (DPSK) wavelength multicasting at 40 Gbit/s using a degenerate four-wave mixing (FWM) based phase sensitive amplifier (PSA). Phase regenerative properties are reported with a sensitivity improvement of more that 10 dB