2,272 research outputs found
Worldline approach to vector and antisymmetric tensor fields
The N=2 spinning particle action describes the propagation of antisymmetric
tensor fields, including vector fields as a special case. In this paper we
study the path integral quantization on a one-dimensional torus of the N=2
spinning particle coupled to spacetime gravity. The action has a local N=2
worldline supersymmetry with a gauged U(1) symmetry that includes a
Chern-Simons coupling. Its quantization on the torus produces the one-loop
effective action for a single antisymmetric tensor. We use this worldline
representation to calculate the first few Seeley-DeWitt coefficients for
antisymmetric tensor fields of arbitrary rank in arbitrary dimensions. As side
results we obtain the correct trace anomaly of a spin 1 particle in four
dimensions as well as exact duality relations between differential form gauge
fields. This approach yields a drastic simplification over standard heat-kernel
methods. It contains on top of the usual proper time a new modular parameter
implementing the reduction to a single tensor field. Worldline methods are
generically simpler and more efficient in perturbative computations then
standard QFT Feynman rules. This is particularly evident when the coupling to
gravity is considered.Comment: 30 pages, 5 figures, references adde
A geometric approach to scalar field theories on the supersphere
Following a strictly geometric approach we construct globally supersymmetric
scalar field theories on the supersphere, defined as the quotient space
. We analyze the superspace geometry of the
supersphere, in particular deriving the invariant vielbein and spin connection
from a generalization of the left-invariant Maurer-Cartan form for Lie groups.
Using this information we proceed to construct a superscalar field action on
, which can be decomposed in terms of the component fields, yielding a
supersymmetric action on the ordinary two-sphere. We are able to derive
Lagrange equations and Noether's theorem for the superscalar field itself.Comment: 38 pages, 1 figur
Higher order relations in Fedosov supermanifolds
Higher order relations existing in normal coordinates between affine
extensions of the curvature tensor and basic objects for any Fedosov
supermanifolds are derived. Representation of these relations in general
coordinates is discussed.Comment: 11 LaTex pages, no figure
TeV Scale Lee-Wick Fields out of Large Extra Dimensional Gravity
We study the gravitational corrections to the Maxwell, Dirac and Klein-Gorden
theories in the large extra dimension model in which the gravitons propagate in
the (4+n)-dimensional bulk, while the gauge and matter fields are confined to
the four-dimensional world. The corrections to the two-point Green's functions
of the gauge and matter fields from the exchanges of virtual Kaluza-Klein
gravitons are calculated in the gauge independent background field method. In
the framework of effective field theory, we show that the modified one-loop
renormalizable Lagrangian due to quantum gravitational effects contains a TeV
scale Lee-Wick partner of every gauge and matter field as extra degrees of
freedom in the theory. Thus the large extra dimension model of gravity provides
a natural mechanism to the emergence of these exotic particles which were
recently used to construct an extension of the Standard Model.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures, references added, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Graded Majorana spinors
In many mathematical and physical contexts spinors are treated as Grassmann
odd valued fields. We show that it is possible to extend the classification of
reality conditions on such spinors by a new type of Majorana condition. In
order to define this graded Majorana condition we make use of
pseudo-conjugation, a rather unfamiliar extension of complex conjugation to
supernumbers. Like the symplectic Majorana condition, the graded Majorana
condition may be imposed, for example, in spacetimes in which the standard
Majorana condition is inconsistent. However, in contrast to the symplectic
condition, which requires duplicating the number of spinor fields, the graded
condition can be imposed on a single Dirac spinor. We illustrate how graded
Majorana spinors can be applied to supersymmetry by constructing a globally
supersymmetric field theory in three-dimensional Euclidean space, an example of
a spacetime where standard Majorana spinors do not exist.Comment: 16 pages, version to appear in J. Phys. A; AFK previously published
under the name A. F. Schunc
A Clifford analysis approach to superspace
A new framework for studying superspace is given, based on methods from
Clifford analysis. This leads to the introduction of both orthogonal and
symplectic Clifford algebra generators, allowing for an easy and canonical
introduction of a super-Dirac operator, a super-Laplace operator and the like.
This framework is then used to define a super-Hodge coderivative, which,
together with the exterior derivative, factorizes the Laplace operator. Finally
both the cohomology of the exterior derivative and the homology of the Hodge
operator on the level of polynomial-valued super-differential forms are
studied. This leads to some interesting graphical representations and provides
a better insight in the definition of the Berezin-integral.Comment: 15 pages, accepted for publication in Annals of Physic
Pressure measurements in a low-density nozzle plume for code verification
Measurements of Pitot pressure were made in the exit plane and plume of a low-density, nitrogen nozzle flow. Two numerical computer codes were used to analyze the flow, including one based on continuum theory using the explicit MacCormack method, and the other on kinetic theory using the method of direct-simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC). The continuum analysis was carried to the nozzle exit plane and the results were compared to the measurements. The DSMC analysis was extended into the plume of the nozzle flow and the results were compared with measurements at the exit plane and axial stations 12, 24 and 36 mm into the near-field plume. Two experimental apparatus were used that differed in design and gave slightly different profiles of pressure measurements. The DSMC method compared well with the measurements from each apparatus at all axial stations and provided a more accurate prediction of the flow than the continuum method, verifying the validity of DSMC for such calculations
Measurement and analysis of a small nozzle plume in vacuum
Pitot pressures and flow angles are measured in the plume of a nozzle flowing nitrogen and exhausting to a vacuum. Total pressures are measured with Pitot tubes sized for specific regions of the plume and flow angles measured with a conical probe. The measurement area for total pressure extends 480 mm (16 exit diameters) downstream of the nozzle exit plane and radially to 60 mm (1.9 exit diameters) off the plume axis. The measurement area for flow angle extends to 160 mm (5 exit diameters) downstream and radially to 60 mm. The measurements are compared to results from a numerical simulation of the flow that is based on kinetic theory and uses the direct-simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Comparisons of computed results from the DSMC method with measurements of flow angle display good agreement in the far-field of the plume and improve with increasing distance from the exit plane. Pitot pressures computed from the DSMC method are in reasonably good agreement with experimental results over the entire measurement area
Physical principles of local heat therapy for cancer
Local hyperthermia therapy for cancer can produce selective heating of solid tumors on the basis of known physical laws. If energy is deposited in the general region of the tumor, temperature tends to develop in the tumor higher than that in surrounding normal tissues. The goal of therapy is to achieve cytotoxic temperature elevations in the tumor for an adequate period of time, without damaging nearby normal tissues. Several modalities exist for local heat treatment, of which radiofrequency and ultrasound offer the most promise for controlled, localized heating at depth. A paucity of blood flow in the tumor compared to that in adjacent normal tissues can enhance selective tumor heating considerably. The tumor types that have reduced flow in their central regions are especially vulnerable to heat therapy, both because they can be heated more efficiently and because hypoxic and acidotic tumor tissues are more susceptible to damage by heat. This effect is more pronounced in larger tumors, which have smaller surface-to-volume ratios and so lose heat less rapidly by thermal diffusion. Selective heat treatment of larger tumor masses with low blood perfusion, therefore, is physically practical and rational therapy. Vigorous research efforts are now underway at many centers to optimize this approach
A multiband radiometer and data acquisition system for remote sensing field research
Specifications are described for a recently developed prototype multispectral data acquisition system which consists of multiband radiometer with 8 bands between 0.4 and 12.5 micrometers and a data recording module to record data from the radometer and ancillary sources. The systems is adaptable to helicopter, truck, or tripod platforms, as well as hand-held operation. The general characteristics are: (1) comparatively inexpensive to acquire, maintain and operate; (2) simple to operate and calibrate; (3) complete with data hardware and software; and (4) well documented for use by researchers. The instrument system is to be commercially available and can be utilized by many researchers to obtain large numbers of accurate, calibrated spectral measurements. It can be a key element in improving and advancing the capability for field research in remote sensing
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