198 research outputs found
Measurement of the Neutrino Asymmetry Parameter B in Neutron Decay
A new measurement of the neutrino asymmetry parameter B in neutron decay, the
angular correlation between neutron spin and anti-neutrino momentum, is
presented. The result, B=0.9802(50), agrees with the Standard Model expectation
and earlier measurements, and permits improved tests on ``new physics'' in
neutron decay.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; v2: revised PRL versio
On the extension of stringlike localised sectors in 2+1 dimensions
In the framework of algebraic quantum field theory, we study the category
\Delta_BF^A of stringlike localised representations of a net of observables O
\mapsto A(O) in three dimensions. It is shown that compactly localised (DHR)
representations give rise to a non-trivial centre of \Delta_BF^A with respect
to the braiding. This implies that \Delta_BF^A cannot be modular when
non-trival DHR sectors exist. Modular tensor categories, however, are important
for topological quantum computing. For this reason, we discuss a method to
remove this obstruction to modularity.
Indeed, the obstruction can be removed by passing from the observable net
A(O) to the Doplicher-Roberts field net F(O). It is then shown that sectors of
A can be extended to sectors of the field net that commute with the action of
the corresponding symmetry group. Moreover, all such sectors are extensions of
sectors of A. Finally, the category \Delta_BF^F of sectors of F is studied by
investigating the relation with the categorical crossed product of \Delta_BF^A
by the subcategory of DHR representations. Under appropriate conditions, this
completely determines the category \Delta_BF^F.Comment: 36 pages, 1 eps figure; v2: appendix added, minor corrections and
clarification
String-localized Quantum Fields and Modular Localization
We study free, covariant, quantum (Bose) fields that are associated with
irreducible representations of the Poincar\'e group and localized in
semi-infinite strings extending to spacelike infinity. Among these are fields
that generate the irreducible representations of mass zero and infinite spin
that are known to be incompatible with point-like localized fields. For the
massive representation and the massless representations of finite helicity, all
string-localized free fields can be written as an integral, along the string,
of point-localized tensor or spinor fields. As a special case we discuss the
string-localized vector fields associated with the point-like electromagnetic
field and their relation to the axial gauge condition in the usual setting.Comment: minor correction
Jorge A. Swieca's contributions to quantum field theory in the 60s and 70s and their relevance in present research
After revisiting some high points of particle physics and QFT of the two
decades from 1960 to 1980, I comment on the work by Jorge Andre Swieca. I
explain how it fits into the quantum field theory during these two decades and
draw attention to its relevance to the ongoing particle physics research. A
particular aim of this article is to direct thr readers mindfulness to the
relevance of what at the time of Swieca was called "the Schwinger Higgs
screening mechanism". which, together with recent ideas which generalize the
concept of gauge theories, has all the ingredients to revolutionize the issue
of gauge theories and the standard model.Comment: 49 pages, expansion and actualization of text, improvement of
formulations and addition of many references to be published in EPJH -
Historical Perspectives on Contemporary Physic
A Chern-Simons approach to Galilean quantum gravity in 2+1 dimensions
We define and discuss classical and quantum gravity in 2+1 dimensions in the
Galilean limit. Although there are no Newtonian forces between massive objects
in (2+1)-dimensional gravity, the Galilean limit is not trivial. Depending on
the topology of spacetime there are typically finitely many topological degrees
of freedom as well as topological interactions of Aharonov-Bohm type between
massive objects. In order to capture these topological aspects we consider a
two-fold central extension of the Galilei group whose Lie algebra possesses an
invariant and non-degenerate inner product. Using this inner product we define
Galilean gravity as a Chern-Simons theory of the doubly-extended Galilei group.
The particular extension of the Galilei group we consider is the classical
double of a much studied group, the extended homogeneous Galilei group, which
is also often called Nappi-Witten group. We exhibit the Poisson-Lie structure
of the doubly extended Galilei group, and quantise the Chern-Simons theory
using a Hamiltonian approach. Many aspects of the quantum theory are determined
by the quantum double of the extended homogenous Galilei group, or Galilei
double for short. We study the representation theory of the Galilei double,
explain how associated braid group representations account for the topological
interactions in the theory, and briefly comment on an associated
non-commutative Galilean spacetime.Comment: 38 pages, 1 figure, references update
Grafting and Poisson structure in (2+1)-gravity with vanishing cosmological constant
We relate the geometrical construction of (2+1)-spacetimes via grafting to
phase space and Poisson structure in the Chern-Simons formulation of
(2+1)-dimensional gravity with vanishing cosmological constant on manifolds of
topology , where is an orientable two-surface of genus
. We show how grafting along simple closed geodesics \lambda is
implemented in the Chern-Simons formalism and derive explicit expressions for
its action on the holonomies of general closed curves on S_g. We prove that
this action is generated via the Poisson bracket by a gauge invariant
observable associated to the holonomy of . We deduce a symmetry
relation between the Poisson brackets of observables associated to the Lorentz
and translational components of the holonomies of general closed curves on S_g
and discuss its physical interpretation. Finally, we relate the action of
grafting on the phase space to the action of Dehn twists and show that grafting
can be viewed as a Dehn twist with a formal parameter satisfying
.Comment: 43 pages, 10 .eps figures; minor modifications: 2 figures added,
explanations added, typos correcte
Causality and dispersion relations and the role of the S-matrix in the ongoing research
The adaptation of the Kramers-Kronig dispersion relations to the causal
localization structure of QFT led to an important project in particle physics,
the only one with a successful closure. The same cannot be said about the
subsequent attempts to formulate particle physics as a pure S-matrix project.
The feasibility of a pure S-matrix approach are critically analyzed and their
serious shortcomings are highlighted. Whereas the conceptual/mathematical
demands of renormalized perturbation theory are modest and misunderstandings
could easily be corrected, the correct understanding about the origin of the
crossing property requires the use of the mathematical theory of modular
localization and its relation to the thermal KMS condition. These new concepts,
which combine localization, vacuum polarization and thermal properties under
the roof of modular theory, will be explained and their potential use in a new
constructive (nonperturbative) approach to QFT will be indicated. The S-matrix
still plays a predominant role but, different from Heisenberg's and
Mandelstam's proposals, the new project is not a pure S-matrix approach. The
S-matrix plays a new role as a "relative modular invariant"..Comment: 47 pages expansion of arguments and addition of references,
corrections of misprints and bad formulation
Algebraic conformal quantum field theory in perspective
Conformal quantum field theory is reviewed in the perspective of Axiomatic,
notably Algebraic QFT. This theory is particularly developped in two spacetime
dimensions, where many rigorous constructions are possible, as well as some
complete classifications. The structural insights, analytical methods and
constructive tools are expected to be useful also for four-dimensional QFT.Comment: Review paper, 40 pages. v2: minor changes and references added, so as
to match published versio
Setting priorities for land management to mitigate climate change
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>No consensus has been reached how to measure the effectiveness of climate change mitigation in the land-use sector and how to prioritize land use accordingly. We used the long-term cumulative and average sectorial C stocks in biomass, soil and products, C stock changes, the substitution of fossil energy and of energy-intensive products, and net present value (NPV) as evaluation criteria for the effectiveness of a hectare of productive land to mitigate climate change and produce economic returns. We evaluated land management options using real-life data of Thuringia, a region representative for central-western European conditions, and input from life cycle assessment, with a carbon-tracking model. We focused on solid biomass use for energy production.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In forestry, the traditional timber production was most economically viable and most climate-friendly due to an assumed recycling rate of 80% of wood products for bioenergy. Intensification towards "pure bioenergy production" would reduce the average sectorial C stocks and the C substitution and would turn NPV negative. In the forest conservation (non-use) option, the sectorial C stocks increased by 52% against timber production, which was not compensated by foregone wood products and C substitution. Among the cropland options wheat for food with straw use for energy, whole cereals for energy, and short rotation coppice for bioenergy the latter was most climate-friendly. However, specific subsidies or incentives for perennials would be needed to favour this option.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>When using the harvested products as materials prior to energy use there is no climate argument to support intensification by switching from sawn-wood timber production towards energy-wood in forestry systems. A legal framework would be needed to ensure that harvested products are first used for raw materials prior to energy use. Only an effective recycling of biomaterials frees land for long-term sustained C sequestration by conservation. Reuse cascades avoid additional emissions from shifting production or intensification.</p
A critical look at 50 years particle theory from the perspective of the crossing property
The crossing property is perhaps the most subtle aspect of the particle-field
relation. Although it is not difficult to state its content in terms of certain
analytic properties relating different matrixelements of the S-matrix or
formfactors, its relation to the localization- and positive energy spectral
principles requires a level of insight into the inner workings of QFT which
goes beyond anything which can be found in typical textbooks on QFT. This paper
presents a recent account based on new ideas derived from "modular
localization" including a mathematic appendix on this subject. Its main novel
achievement is the proof of the crossing property of formfactors from a
two-algebra generalization of the KMS condition. The main content of this
article is the presentation of the derailments of particle theory during more
than 4 decades: the S-matrix bootstrap, the dual model and its string theoretic
extension. Rather than being related to crossing, string theory is the (only
known) realization of a dynamic infinite component one-particle wave function
space and its associated infinite component field. Here "dynamic" means that,
unlike a mere collection of infinitely many irreducible unitary Poincar\'e
group representation or free fields, the formalism contains also operators
which communicate between the different irreducible Poincar\'e represenations
(the levels of the "infinite tower") and set the mass/spin spectrum. Wheras in
pre-string times there were unsuccessful attempts to achieve this in analogy to
the O(4,2) hydrogen spectrum by the use of higher noncompact groups, the
superstring in d=9+1, which uses instead (bosonic/fermionic) oscillators
obtained from multicomponent chiral currents is the only known unitary positive
energy solution of the dynamical infinite component pointlike localized field
project.Comment: 66 pages, addition of new results, addition of references, will
appear in this form in Foundations of Physic
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