27,789 research outputs found
Quantum Decoherence in a D-Foam Background
Within the general framework of Liouville string theory, we construct a model
for quantum D-brane fluctuations in the space-time background through which
light closed-string states propagate. The model is based on monopole and vortex
defects on the world sheet, which have been discussed previously in a treatment
of 1+1-dimensional black-hole fluctuations in the space-time background, and
makes use of a T-duality transformation to relate formulations with Neumann and
Dirichlet boundary conditions. In accordance with previous general arguments,
we derive an open quantum-mechanical description of this D-brane foam which
embodies momentum and energy conservation and small mean energy fluctuations.
Quantum decoherence effects appear at a rate consistent with previous
estimates.Comment: 16 pages, Latex, two eps figures include
Production of two pairs in gluon-gluon scattering in high energy proton-proton collisions
We calculate cross sections for in the
high-energy approximation in the mixed (longitudinal momentum fraction, impact
parameter) and momentum space representations. Besides the total cross section
as a function of subsystem energy also differential distributions (in quark
rapidity, transverse momentum, , invariant mass) are presented.
The elementary cross section is used to calculate production of in single-parton scattering (SPS) in proton-proton collisions. We
present integrated cross section as a function of proton-proton center of mass
energy as well as differential distribution in . The
results are compared with corresponding results for double-parton scattering
(DPS) discussed recently in the literature. We find that the considered SPS
contribution to production is at high energy ( 5 TeV) much smaller than that for DPS contribution.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figure
Synchrotron Radiation and Quantum Gravity
Photons may evade a synchrotron radiation constraint on quantum gravity by
violating the equivalence principle.Comment: 4 pages. Comment on Jacobson et al astro-ph/0212190. Presentation
revised for brief communication to Nature with extended bibliograph
Quantum-Gravity Analysis of Gamma-Ray Bursts using Wavelets
In some models of quantum gravity, space-time is thought to have a foamy
structure with non-trivial optical properties. We probe the possibility that
photons propagating in vacuum may exhibit a non-trivial refractive index, by
analyzing the times of flight of radiation from gamma-ray bursters (GRBs) with
known redshifts. We use a wavelet shrinkage procedure for noise removal and a
wavelet `zoom' technique to define with high accuracy the timings of sharp
transitions in GRB light curves, thereby optimizing the sensitivity of
experimental probes of any energy dependence of the velocity of light. We apply
these wavelet techniques to 64 ms and TTE data from BATSE, and also to OSSE
data. A search for time lags between sharp transients in GRB light curves in
different energy bands yields the lower limit GeV on
the quantum-gravity scale in any model with a linear dependence of the velocity
of light . We also present a limit on any quadratic dependence.Comment: This version is accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
The discussion and introduction are extended making clear why the wavelet
analysis should be superior to straight cross-correlation analysis. More
details on compiled data are elaborated. 18 pages, 9 figures, A&A forma
Brany Liouville Inflation
We present a specific model for cosmological inflation driven by the
Liouville field in a non-critical supersymmetric string framework, in which the
departure from criticality is due to open strings stretched between the two
moving Type-II 5-branes. We use WMAP and other data on fluctuations in the
cosmic microwave background to fix parameters of the model, such as the
relative separation and velocity of the 5-branes, respecting also the
constraints imposed by data on light propagation from distant gamma-ray
bursters. The model also suggests a small, relaxing component in the present
vacuum energy that may accommodate the breaking of supersymmetry.Comment: 23 pages LATEX, two eps figures incorporated; version accepted for
publication in NJ
Stringy Space-Time Foam and High-Energy Cosmic Photons
In this review, I discuss briefly stringent tests of Lorentz-violating
quantum space-time foam models inspired from String/Brane theories, provided by
studies of high energy Photons from intense celestial sources, such as Active
Galactic Nuclei or Gamma Ray Bursts. The theoretical models predict
modifications to the radiation dispersion relations, which are quadratically
suppressed by the string mass scale, and time delays in the arrival times of
photons (assumed to be emitted more or less simultaneously from the source),
which are proportional to the photon energy, so that the more energetic photons
arrive later. Although the astrophysics at the source of these energetic
photons is still not understood, and such non simultaneous arrivals, that have
been observed recently, might well be due to non simultaneous emission as a
result of conventional physics effects, nevertheless, rather surprisingly, the
observed time delays can also fit excellently the stringy space-time foam
scenarios, provided the space-time defect foam is inhomogeneous. The key
features of the model, that allow it to evade a plethora of astrophysical
constraints on Lorentz violation, in sharp contrast to other field-theoretic
Lorentz-violating models of quantum gravity, are: (i) transparency of the foam
to electrons and in general charged matter, (ii) absence of birefringence
effects and (iii) a breakdown of the local effective lagrangian formalism.Comment: 26 pages Latex, 4 figures, uses special macros. Keynote Lecture in
the International Conference "Recent Developments in Gravity" (NEB14),
Ioannina (Greece) June 8-11 201
Astrophysical Probes of the Constancy of the Velocity of Light
We discuss possible tests of the constancy of the velocity of light using
distant astrophysical sources such as gamma-ray bursters (GRBs), Active
Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) and pulsars. This speculative quest may be motivated by
some models of quantum fluctuations in the space-time background, and we
discuss explicitly how an energy-dependent variation in photon velocity \delta
c/ c \sim - E / M arises in one particular quantum-gravitational model. We then
discuss how data on GRBs may be used to set limits on variations in the
velocity of light, which we illustrate using BATSE and OSSE observations of the
GRBs that have recently been identified optically and for which precise
redshifts are available. We show how a regression analysis can be performed to
look for an energy-dependent effect that should correlate with redshift. The
present data yield a limit M \gsim 10^{15} GeV for the quantum gravity scale.
We discuss the prospects for improving this analysis using future data, and how
one might hope to distinguish any positive signal from astrophysical effects
associated with the sources.Comment: 37 pages LaTeX, 9 eps figures included, uses aasms4.st
Do Three Dimensions tell us Anything about a Theory of Everything?
It has been conjectured that four-dimensional N=8 supergravity may provide a
suitable framework for a `Theory of Everything', if its composite SU(8) gauge
fields become dynamical. We point out that supersymmetric three-dimensional
coset field theories motivated by lattice models provide toy laboratories for
aspects of this conjecture. They feature dynamical composite supermultiplets
made of constituent holons and spinons. We show how these models may be
extended to include N=1 and N=2 supersymmetry, enabling dynamical conjectures
to be verified more rigorously. We point out some special features of these
three-dimensional models, and mention open questions about their relevance to
the dynamics of N=8 supergravity.Comment: 20 pages Latex, 2 eps figure
Exploration of Possible Quantum Gravity Effects with Neutrinos II: Lorentz Violation in Neutrino Propagation
It has been suggested that the interactions of energetic particles with the
foamy structure of space-time thought to be generated by quantum-gravitational
(QG) effects might violate Lorentz invariance, so that they do not propagate at
a universal speed of light. We consider the limits that may be set on a linear
or quadratic violation of Lorentz invariance in the propagation of energetic
neutrinos, v/c=[1 +- (E/M_\nuQG1)] or [1 +- (E/M_\nu QG2}^2], using data from
supernova explosions and the OPERA long-baseline neutrino experiment.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, proceedings for invited talk by A.Sakharov at
DISCRETE'08, Valencia, Spain; December 200
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