Mass for Plasma Photons from Gauge Symmetry Breaking

We derive the effective masses for photons in unmagnetized plasma waves using a quantum field theory with two vector fields (gauge fields). In order to properly define the quantum field degrees of freedom we re-derive the classical wave equations on light-front gauge. This is needed because the usual scalar potential of electromagnetism is, in quantum field theory, not a physical degree of freedom that renders negative energy eigenstates. We also consider a background local fluid metric that allows for a covariant treatment of the problem. The different masses for the longitudinal (plasmon) and transverse photons are in our framework due to the local fluid metric. We apply the mechanism of mass generation by gauge symmetry breaking recently proposed by the authors by giving a non-trivial vacuum-expectation-value to the second vector field (gauge field). The Debye length $\lambda_D$ is interpreted as an effective compactification length and we compute an explicit solution for the large gauge transformations that correspond to the specific mass eigenvalues derived here. Using an usual quantum field theory canonical quantization we obtain the usual results in the literature. Although none of these ingredients are new to physicist, as far as the authors are aware it is the first time that such constructions are applied to Plasma Physics. Also we give a physical interpretation (and realization) for the second vector field in terms of the plasma background in terms of known physical phenomena. Addendum: It is given a short proof that equation (10) is wrong, therefore equations (12-17) are meaningless. The remaining results are correct being generic derivations for nonmagnetized plasmas derived in a covariant QFT framework.Comment: v1: 1+6 pages v2: Several discussions rewritten; Abstract rewritten; References added; v3: includes Addendu

Charge breaking bounds in the Zee model

We study the possibility that charge breaking minima occur in the Zee model. We reach very different conclusions from those attained in simpler, two Higgs doublet models, and the reason for this is traced back to the existence of cubic terms in the potential. A scan of the Zee model's parameter space shows that CB is restricted to a narrow region of values of the parameters

Strong flavour changing effective operator contributions to single top quark production

We study the effects of dimension six effective operators on the production of single top quarks at the LHC. The operator set considered includes terms with effective gluon interactions and four-fermion terms. Analytic expressions for the several partonic cross sections of single top production will be presented, as well as the results of their integration on the parton density functions.Comment: 20 pages, 7 fig

Electron-electron interaction in a MCS model with a purely spacelike Lorentz-violating background

One considers a planar Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics in the presence of a purely spacelike Lorentz-violating background. Once the Dirac sector is properly introduced and coupled to the scalar and the gauge fields, the electron-electron interaction is evaluated as the Fourier transform of the Moller scattering amplitude (derived in the non-relativistic limit). The associated Fourier integrations can not be exactly carried out, but an algebraic solution for the interaction potential is obtained in leading order in (v/s)^2. It is then observed that the scalar potential presents a logarithmic attractive (repulsive) behavior near (far from) the origin. Concerning the gauge potential, it is composed of the pure MCS interaction corrected by background contributions, also responsible for its anisotropic character. It is also verified that such corrections may turn the gauge potential attractive for some parameter values. Such attractiveness remains even in the presence of the centrifugal barrier and gauge invariant A.A term, which constitutes a condition compatible with the formation of Cooper pairs.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, Revtex4 style, figures revised; to appear in Phys. Rev. D (2005