Orthogonal Decomposition of Some Affine Lie Algebras in Terms of their Heisenberg Subalgebras

In the present note we suggest an affinization of a theorem by Kostrikin et.al. about the decomposition of some complex simple Lie algebras ${\cal G}$ into the algebraic sum of pairwise orthogonal Cartan subalgebras. We point out that the untwisted affine Kac-Moody algebras of types $A_{p^m-1}$ ($p$ prime, $m\geq 1$), $B_r, \, C_{2^m}, D_r,\, G_2,\, E_7,\, E_8$ can be decomposed into the algebraic sum of pairwise or\-tho\-go\-nal Heisenberg subalgebras. The $A_{p^m-1}$ and $G_2$ cases are discussed in great detail. Some possible applications of such decompositions are also discussed.Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX, no figure

Vertex Operators and Soliton Time Delays in Affine Toda Field Theory

In a space-time of two dimensions the overall effect of the collision of two solitons is a time delay (or advance) of their final trajectories relative to their initial trajectories. For the solitons of affine Toda field theories, the space-time displacement of the trajectories is proportional to the logarithm of a number $X$ depending only on the species of the colliding solitons and their rapidity difference. $X$ is the factor arising in the normal ordering of the product of the two vertex operators associated with the solitons. $X$ is shown to take real values between $0$ and $1$. This means that, whenever the solitons are distinguishable, so that transmission rather than reflection is the only possible interpretation of the classical scattering process, the time delay is negative and so an indication of attractive forces between the solitons.Comment: p. 24 Latex, Swansea-SWAT/93-94/3

Poincar\'e recurrence theorem and the strong CP-problem

The existence in the physical QCD vacuum of nonzero gluon condensates, such as $$, requires dominance of gluon fields with finite mean action density. This naturally allows any real number value for the unit ``topological charge'' $q$ characterising the fields approximating the gluon configurations which should dominate the QCD partition function. If $q$ is an irrational number then the critical values of the $\theta$ parameter for which CP is spontaneously broken are dense in $\mathbb{R}$, which provides for a mechanism of resolving the strong CP problem simultaneously with a correct implementation of $U_{\rm A}(1)$ symmetry. We present an explicit realisation of this mechanism within a QCD motivated domain model. Some model independent arguments are given that suggest the relevance of this mechanism also to genuine QCD.Comment: 8 pages, RevTeX, 3 figures. Revised after referee suggestions. Now includes model independent argument

Dual Projection and Selfduality in Three Dimensions

We discuss the notion of duality and selfduality in the context of the dual projection operation that creates an internal space of potentials. Contrary to the prevailing algebraic or group theoretical methods, this technique is applicable to both even and odd dimensions. The role of parity in the kernel of the Gauss law to determine the dimensional dependence is clarified. We derive the appropriate invariant actions, discuss the symmetry groups and their proper generators. In particular, the novel concept of duality symmetry and selfduality in Maxwell theory in (2+1) dimensions is analysed in details. The corresponding action is a 3D version of the familiar duality symmetric electromagnetic theory in 4D. Finally, the duality symmetric actions in the different dimensions constructed here manifest both the SO(2) and $Z_2$ symmetries, contrary to conventional results.Comment: 20 pages, late

Helicity, polarization, and Riemann-Silberstein vortices

Riemann-Silberstein (RS) vortices have been defined as surfaces in spacetime where the complex form of a free electromagnetic field given by F=E+iB is null (F.F=0), and they can indeed be interpreted as the collective history swept out by moving vortex lines of the field. Formally, the nullity condition is similar to the definition of "C-lines" associated with a monochromatic electric or magnetic field, which are curves in space where the polarization ellipses degenerate to circles. However, it was noted that RS vortices of monochromatic fields generally oscillate at optical frequencies and are therefore unobservable while electric and magnetic C-lines are steady. Here I show that under the additional assumption of having definite helicity, RS vortices are not only steady but they coincide with both sets of C-lines, electric and magnetic. The two concepts therefore become one for waves of definite frequency and helicity. Since the definition of RS vortices is relativistically invariant while that of C-lines is not, it may be useful to regard the vortices as a wideband generalization of C-lines for waves of definite helicity.Comment: 5 pages, no figures. Submitted to J of Optics A, special issue on Singular Optics; minor changes from v.

Non-universal scalar-tensor theories and big bang nucleosynthesis

We investigate the constraints that can be set from big-bang nucleosynthesis on two classes of models: extended quintessence and scalar-tensor theories of gravity in which the equivalence principle between standard matter and dark matter is violated. In the latter case, and for a massless dilaton with quadratic couplings, the phase space of theories is investigated. We delineate those theories where attraction toward general relativity occurs. It is shown that big-bang nucleosynthesis sets more stringent constraints than those obtained from Solar system tests.Comment: 28 pages, 20 figure