Graded Lie algebras, representation theory, integrable mappings and systems: nonabelian case

The exactly integrable systems connected with semisimple series $A$ for arbitrary grading are presented in explicit form. Their general solutions are expressed in terms of the matrix elements of various fundamental representations of $A_n$ groups. The simplest example of such systems is the generalized Toda chain with the matrices of arbitrary dimensions in each point of the lattice.Comment: LaTeX, 19 page

The Solution of the N=2 Supersymmetric f-Toda Chain with Fixed Ends

The integrability of the recently introduced N=2 supersymmetric f-Toda chain, under appropriate boundary conditions, is proven. The recurrent formulae for its general solutions are derived. As an example, the solution for the simplest case of boundary conditions is presented in explicit form.Comment: 15 pages, latex, no figure

Casimir interactions of an object inside a spherical metal shell

We investigate the electromagnetic Casimir interactions of an object contained within an otherwise empty, perfectly conducting spherical shell. For a small object we present analytical calculations of the force, which is directed away from the center of the cavity, and the torque, which tends to align the object opposite to the preferred alignment outside the cavity. For a perfectly conducting sphere as the interior object, we compute the corrections to the proximity force approximation (PFA) numerically. In both cases the results for the interior configuration match smoothly onto those for the corresponding exterior configuration.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Fermionic flows and tau function of the N=(1|1) superconformal Toda lattice hierarchy

An infinite class of fermionic flows of the N=(1|1) superconformal Toda lattice hierarchy is constructed and their algebraic structure is studied. We completely solve the semi-infinite N=(1|1) Toda lattice and chain hierarchies and derive their tau functions, which may be relevant for building supersymmetric matrix models. Their bosonic limit is also discussed.Comment: 11 pages, no figures, revised version published in Nucl. Phys.

The Casimir Energy for a Hyperboloid Facing a Plate in the Optical Approximation

We study the Casimir energy of a massless scalar field that obeys Dirichlet boundary conditions on a hyperboloid facing a plate. We use the optical approximation including the first six reflections and compare the results with the predictions of the proximity force approximation and the semi-classical method. We also consider finite size effects by contrasting the infinite with a finite plate. We find sizable and qualitative differences between the new optical method and the more traditional approaches.Comment: v2: 14 pages, 11 eps figures; typo in eq. (21) removed, clarification added, fig. 10 improved; version published in Phys. Rev.

Casimir potential of a compact object enclosed by a spherical cavity

We study the electromagnetic Casimir interaction of a compact object contained inside a closed cavity of another compact object. We express the interaction energy in terms of the objects' scattering matrices and translation matrices that relate the coordinate systems appropriate to each object. When the enclosing object is an otherwise empty metallic spherical shell, much larger than the internal object, and the two are sufficiently separated, the Casimir force can be expressed in terms of the static electric and magnetic multipole polarizabilities of the internal object, which is analogous to the Casimir-Polder result. Although it is not a simple power law, the dependence of the force on the separation of the object from the containing sphere is a universal function of its displacement from the center of the sphere, independent of other details of the object's electromagnetic response. Furthermore, we compute the exact Casimir force between two metallic spheres contained one inside the other at arbitrary separations. Finally, we combine our results with earlier work on the Casimir force between two spheres to obtain data on the leading order correction to the Proximity Force Approximation for two metallic spheres both outside and within one another.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Casimir Effects: An Optical Approach I. Foundations and Examples

We present the foundations of a new approach to the Casimir effect based on classical ray optics. We show that a very useful approximation to the Casimir force between arbitrarily shaped smooth conductors can be obtained from knowledge of the paths of light rays that originate at points between these bodies and close on themselves. Although an approximation, the optical method is exact for flat bodies, and is surprisingly accurate and versatile. In this paper we present a self-contained derivation of our approximation, discuss its range of validity and possible improvements, and work out three examples in detail. The results are in excellent agreement with recent precise numerical analysis for the experimentally interesting configuration of a sphere opposite an infinite plane.Comment: Minor corrections. Submitted to Nucl. Phys.

Hamiltonian structures of fermionic two-dimensional Toda lattice hierarchies

By exhibiting the corresponding Lax pair representations we propose a wide class of integrable two-dimensional (2D) fermionic Toda lattice (TL) hierarchies which includes the 2D N=(2|2) and N=(0|2) supersymmetric TL hierarchies as particular cases. We develop the generalized graded R-matrix formalism using the generalized graded bracket on the space of graded operators with involution generalizing the graded commutator in superalgebras, which allows one to describe these hierarchies in the framework of the Hamiltonian formalism and construct their first two Hamiltonian structures. The first Hamiltonian structure is obtained for both bosonic and fermionic Lax operators while the second Hamiltonian structure is established for bosonic Lax operators only.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX, the talks delivered at the International Workshop on Classical and Quantum Integrable Systems (Dubna, January 24 - 28, 2005) and International Conference on Theoretical Physics (Moscow, April 11 - 16, 2005