37 research outputs found
Gravity and compactified branes in matrix models
A mechanism for emergent gravity on brane solutions in Yang-Mills matrix
models is exhibited. Newtonian gravity and a partial relation between the
Einstein tensor and the energy-momentum tensor can arise from the basic matrix
model action, without invoking an Einstein-Hilbert-type term. The key
requirements are compactified extra dimensions with extrinsic curvature M^4 x K
\subset R^D and split noncommutativity, with a Poisson tensor \theta^{ab}
linking the compact with the noncompact directions. The moduli of the
compactification provide the dominant degrees of freedom for gravity, which are
transmitted to the 4 noncompact directions via the Poisson tensor. The
effective Newton constant is determined by the scale of noncommutativity and
the compactification. This gravity theory is well suited for quantization, and
argued to be perturbatively finite for the IKKT model. Since no
compactification of the target space is needed, it might provide a way to avoid
the landscape problem in string theory.Comment: 35 pages. V2: substantially revised and improved, conclusion
weakened. V3: some clarifications, published version. V4: minor correctio
Quantized Nambu-Poisson Manifolds in a 3-Lie Algebra Reduced Model
We consider dimensional reduction of the Bagger-Lambert-Gustavsson theory to
a zero-dimensional 3-Lie algebra model and construct various stable solutions
corresponding to quantized Nambu-Poisson manifolds. A recently proposed Higgs
mechanism reduces this model to the IKKT matrix model. We find that in the
strong coupling limit, our solutions correspond to ordinary noncommutative
spaces arising as stable solutions in the IKKT model with D-brane backgrounds.
In particular, this happens for S^3, R^3 and five-dimensional Neveu-Schwarz
Hpp-waves. We expand our model around these backgrounds and find effective
noncommutative field theories with complicated interactions involving
higher-derivative terms. We also describe the relation of our reduced model to
a cubic supermatrix model based on an osp(1|32) supersymmetry algebra.Comment: 22 page
Matrix theory origins of non-geometric fluxes
We explore the origins of non-geometric fluxes within the context of M theory
described as a matrix model. Building upon compactifications of Matrix theory
on non-commutative tori and twisted tori, we formulate the conditions which
describe compactifications with non-geometric fluxes. These turn out to be
related to certain deformations of tori with non-commutative and
non-associative structures on their phase space. Quantization of flux appears
as a natural consequence of the framework and leads to the resolution of
non-associativity at the level of the unitary operators. The quantum-mechanical
nature of the model bestows an important role on the phase space. In
particular, the geometric and non-geometric fluxes exchange their properties
when going from position space to momentum space thus providing a duality among
the two. Moreover, the operations which connect solutions with different fluxes
are described and their relation to T-duality is discussed. Finally, we provide
some insights on the effective gauge theories obtained from these matrix
compactifications.Comment: 1+31 pages, reference list update
Reaction rates and transport in neutron stars
Understanding signals from neutron stars requires knowledge about the
transport inside the star. We review the transport properties and the
underlying reaction rates of dense hadronic and quark matter in the crust and
the core of neutron stars and point out open problems and future directions.Comment: 74 pages; commissioned for the book "Physics and Astrophysics of
Neutron Stars", NewCompStar COST Action MP1304; version 3: minor changes,
references updated, overview graphic added in the introduction, improvements
in Sec IV.A.