Gauge invariance of massless QED

A simple general proof of gauge invariance in QED is given in the framework of causal perturbation theory. It illustrates a method which can also be used in non-abelian gauge theories.Comment: 7 pages, TEX-file, Zuerich University Preprint ZU-TH-33/199

Dipole matrix elements in helium in the first order shielding approximation

First order shielding approximation used to calculate off-diagonal matrix elements of dipole moment operator for heliu

General massive gauge theory

The concept of perturbative gauge invariance formulated exclusively by means of asymptotic fields is used to construct massive gauge theories. We consider the interactions of $r$ massive and $s$ massless gauge fields together with $(r+s)$ fermionic ghost and anti-ghost fields. First order gauge invariance requires the introduction of unphysical scalars (Goldstone bosons) and fixes their trilinear couplings. At second order additional physical scalars (Higgs fields) are necessary, their coupling is further restricted at third order. In case of one physical scalar all couplings are determined by gauge invariance, including the Higgs potential. For three massive and one massless gauge field the $SU(2)\times U(1)$ electroweak theory comes out as the unique solution.Comment: 20 pages, latex, no figure

EPG-representations with small grid-size

In an EPG-representation of a graph $G$ each vertex is represented by a path in the rectangular grid, and $(v,w)$ is an edge in $G$ if and only if the paths representing $v$ an $w$ share a grid-edge. Requiring paths representing edges to be x-monotone or, even stronger, both x- and y-monotone gives rise to three natural variants of EPG-representations, one where edges have no monotonicity requirements and two with the aforementioned monotonicity requirements. The focus of this paper is understanding how small a grid can be achieved for such EPG-representations with respect to various graph parameters. We show that there are $m$-edge graphs that require a grid of area $\Omega(m)$ in any variant of EPG-representations. Similarly there are pathwidth-$k$ graphs that require height $\Omega(k)$ and area $\Omega(kn)$ in any variant of EPG-representations. We prove a matching upper bound of $O(kn)$ area for all pathwidth-$k$ graphs in the strongest model, the one where edges are required to be both x- and y-monotone. Thus in this strongest model, the result implies, for example, $O(n)$, $O(n \log n)$ and $O(n^{3/2})$ area bounds for bounded pathwidth graphs, bounded treewidth graphs and all classes of graphs that exclude a fixed minor, respectively. For the model with no restrictions on the monotonicity of the edges, stronger results can be achieved for some graph classes, for example an $O(n)$ area bound for bounded treewidth graphs and $O(n \log^2 n)$ bound for graphs of bounded genus.Comment: Appears in the Proceedings of the 25th International Symposium on Graph Drawing and Network Visualization (GD 2017

On Gauge Invariance and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking

We show how the widely used concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking can be explained in causal perturbation theory by introducing a perturbative version of quantum gauge invariance. Perturbative gauge invariance, formulated exclusively by means of asymptotic fields, is discussed for the simple example of Abelian U(1) gauge theory (Abelian Higgs model). Our findings are relevant for the electroweak theory, as pointed out elsewhere.Comment: 13 pages, latex, no figure

Slow update of internal representations impedes synchronization in autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social skills, motor and perceptual atypicalities. These difficulties were explained within the Bayesian framework as either reflecting oversensitivity to prediction errors or – just the opposite – slow updating of such errors. To test these opposing theories, we administer paced finger-tapping, a synchronization task that requires use of recent sensory information for fast error-correction. We use computational modelling to disentangle the contributions of error-correction from that of noise in keeping temporal intervals, and in executing motor responses. To assess the specificity of tapping characteristics to autism, we compare performance to both neurotypical individuals and individuals with dyslexia. Only the autism group shows poor sensorimotor synchronization. Trial-by-trial modelling reveals typical noise levels in interval representations and motor responses. However, rate of error correction is reduced in autism, impeding synchronization ability. These results provide evidence for slow updating of internal representations in autism

Aperiodic invariant continua for surface homeomorphisms

We prove that if a homeomorphism of a closed orientable surface S has no wandering points and leaves invariant a compact, connected set K which contains no periodic points, then either K=S and S is a torus, or $K$ is the intersection of a decreasing sequence of annuli. A version for non-orientable surfaces is given.Comment: 8 pages, to appear in Mathematische Zeitschrif

Self-replication and splitting of domain patterns in reaction-diffusion systems with fast inhibitor

An asymptotic equation of motion for the pattern interface in the domain-forming reaction-diffusion systems is derived. The free boundary problem is reduced to the universal equation of non-local contour dynamics in two dimensions in the parameter region where a pattern is not far from the points of the transverse instabilities of its walls. The contour dynamics is studied numerically for the reaction-diffusion system of the FitzHugh-Nagumo type. It is shown that in the asymptotic limit the transverse instability of the localized domains leads to their splitting and formation of the multidomain pattern rather than fingering and formation of the labyrinthine pattern.Comment: 9 pages (ReVTeX), 5 figures (postscript). To be published in Phys. Rev.