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

Global-String and Vortex Superfluids in a Supersymmetric Scenario

The main goal of this work is to investigate the possibility of finding the supersymmetric version of the U(1)-global string model which behaves as a vortex-superfluid. To describe the superfluid phase, we introduce a Lorentz-symmetry breaking background that, in an approach based on supersymmetry, leads to a discussion on the relation between the violation of Lorentz symmetry and explicit soft supersymmetry breakings. We also study the relation between the string configuration and the vortex-superfluid phase. In the framework we settle down in terms of superspace and superfields, we actually establish a duality between the vortex degrees of freedom and the component fields of the Kalb-Ramond superfield. We make also considerations about the fermionic excitations that may appear in connection with the vortex formation.Comment: 9 pages. This version presented the relation between Lorentz symmetry violation by the background and the appearance of terms that explicitly break SUS

Some Comments on BPS systems

We look at simple BPS systems involving more than one field. We discuss the conditions that have to be imposed on various terms in Lagrangians involving many fields to produce BPS systems and then look in more detail at the simplest of such cases. We analyse in detail BPS systems involving 2 interacting Sine-Gordon like fields, both when one of them has a kink solution and the second one either a kink or an antikink solution. We take their solitonic static solutions and use them as initial conditions for their evolution in Lorentz covariant versions of such models. We send these structures towards themselves and find that when they interact weakly they can pass through each other with a phase shift which is related to the strength of their interaction. When they interact strongly they repel and reflect on each other. We use the method of a modified gradient flow in order to visualize the solutions in the space of fields.Comment: 27 pages, 17 figure

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