11 research outputs found
Complex Ashtekar variables and reality conditions for Holst's action
From the Holst action in terms of complex valued Ashtekar variables
additional reality conditions mimicking the linear simplicity constraints of
spin foam gravity are found. In quantum theory with the results of You and
Rovelli we are able to implement these constraints weakly, that is in the sense
of Gupta and Bleuler. The resulting kinematical Hilbert space matches the
original one of loop quantum gravity, that is for real valued Ashtekar
connection. Our result perfectly fit with recent developments of Rovelli and
Speziale concerning Lorentz covariance within spin-form gravity.Comment: 24 pages, 2 picture
A gauge model for quantum mechanics on a stratified space
In the Hamiltonian approach on a single spatial plaquette, we construct a
quantum (lattice) gauge theory which incorporates the classical singularities.
The reduced phase space is a stratified K\"ahler space, and we make explicit
the requisite singular holomorphic quantization procedure on this space. On the
quantum level, this procedure furnishes a costratified Hilbert space, that is,
a Hilbert space together with a system which consists of the subspaces
associated with the strata of the reduced phase space and of the corresponding
orthoprojectors. The costratified Hilbert space structure reflects the
stratification of the reduced phase space. For the special case where the
structure group is , we discuss the tunneling probabilities
between the strata, determine the energy eigenstates and study the
corresponding expectation values of the orthoprojectors onto the subspaces
associated with the strata in the strong and weak coupling approximations.Comment: 38 pages, 9 figures. Changes: comments on the heat kernel and
coherent states have been adde
Ricci flat rotating black branes with a conformally invariant Maxwell source
We consider Einstein gravity coupled to an gauge field for which the
density is given by a power of the Maxwell Lagrangian. In -dimensions the
action of Maxwell field is shown to enjoy the conformal invariance if the power
is chosen as . We present a class of charge rotating solutions in
Einstein-conformally invariant Maxwell gravity in the presence of a
cosmological constant. These solutions may be interpreted as black brane
solutions with inner and outer event horizons or an extreme black brane
depending on the value of the mass parameter. Since we are considering power of
the Maxwell density, the black brane solutions exist only for dimensions which
are multiples of four. We compute conserved and thermodynamics quantities of
the black brane solutions and show that the expression of the electric field
does not depend on the dimension. Also, we obtain a Smarr-type formula and show
that these conserved and thermodynamic quantities of black branes satisfy the
first law of thermodynamics. Finally, we study the phase behavior of the
rotating black branes and show that there is no Hawking--Page phase transition
in spite of conformally invariant Maxwell field.Comment: 13 pages, one figur
Tracing aquatic food webs using fatty acids: from qualitative indicators to quantitative determination
White-beaked dolphins trapped in the ice and eaten by polar bears
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) depend on sea ice, where they hunt ice-associated seals. However, they are opportunistic predators and scavengers with a long list of known prey species. Here we report from a small fjord in Svalbard, Norwegian High Arctic, a sighting of an adult male polar bear preying on two white-beaked dolphins (Lagenorhynchus albirostris) on 23 April 2014. This is the first record of this species as polar bear prey. White-beaked dolphins are frequent visitors to Svalbard waters in summer, but have not previously been reported this far north in early spring. We suggest they were trapped in the ice after strong northerly winds the days before, and possibly killed when forced to surface for air at a small opening in the ice. The bear had consumed most parts of one dolphin. When observed he was in the process of covering the mostly intact second dolphin with snow. Such caching behaviour is generally considered untypical of polar bears. During the following ice-free summer and autumn, at least seven different white-beaked dolphin carcasses were observed in or near the same area. We suggest, based on the area and the degree to which these dolphins had decayed, that they were likely from the same pod and also suffered death due to entrapment in the ice in April. At least six different polar bears were seen scavenging on the carcasses