Quantum Numbers of Textured Hall Effect Quasiparticles

We propose a class of variational wave functions with slow variation in spin and charge density and simple vortex structure at infinity, which properly generalize both the Laughlin quasiparticles and baby Skyrmions. We argue that the spin of the corresponding quasiparticle has a fractional part related in a universal fashion to the properties of the bulk state, and propose a direct experimental test of this claim. We show that certain spin-singlet quantum Hall states can be understood as arising from primary polarized states by Skyrmion condensation.Comment: 13 pages, no figures, Phyzz

Optical injection and terahertz detection of the macroscopic Berry curvature

We propose an experimental scheme to probe the Berry curvature of solids. Our method is sensitive to arbitrary regions of the Brillouin zone, and employs only basic optical and terahertz techniques to yield a background free signal. Using semiconductor quantum wells as a prototypical system, we discuss how to inject Berry curvature macroscopically, and probe it in a way that provides information about the underlying microscopic Berry curvature.Comment: 4 pages, accepted in Physical Review Letter

Mesons and Nucleons in Soft-Wall AdS/QCD with Constrained Infrared Background

The purpose of this paper is to further study the soft-wall AdS/QCD model with constrained IR background. By including a quartic bulk scalar potential we study various meson and nucleon spectra. This model naturally realizes the asymptotical linearity of these mass spectra simultaneously, together with correctly pattern of explicit and dynamical chiral symmetry breaking. The agreement between the theoretical calculations and the experimental data is good.Comment: 17 pages,5 table

Origins of Mass

Newtonian mechanics posited mass as a primary quality of matter, incapable of further elucidation. We now see Newtonian mass as an emergent property. Most of the mass of standard matter, by far, arises dynamically, from back-reaction of the color gluon fields of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). The equations for massless particles support extra symmetries - specifically scale, chiral, and gauge symmetries. The consistency of the standard model relies on a high degree of underlying gauge and chiral symmetry, so the observed non-zero masses of many elementary particles ($W$ and $Z$ bosons, quarks, and leptons) requires spontaneous symmetry breaking. Superconductivity is a prototype for spontaneous symmetry breaking and for mass-generation, since photons acquire mass inside superconductors. A conceptually similar but more intricate form of all-pervasive (i.e. cosmic) superconductivity, in the context of the electroweak standard model, gives us a successful, economical account of $W$ and $Z$ boson masses. It also allows a phenomenologically successful, though profligate, accommodation of quark and lepton masses. The new cosmic superconductivity, when implemented in a straightforward, minimal way, suggests the existence of a remarkable new particle, the so-called Higgs particle. The mass of the Higgs particle itself is not explained in the theory, but appears as a free parameter. Earlier results suggested, and recent observations at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) may indicate, the actual existence of the Higgs particle, with mass $m_H \approx 125$ GeV. In addition to consolidating our understanding of the origin of mass, a Higgs particle with $m_H \approx 125$ GeV could provide an important clue to the future, as it is consistent with expectations from supersymmetry.Comment: Invited review for the Central European Journal of Physics. This is the supplement to my 2011 Solvay Conference talk promised there. It is adapted from an invited talk given at the Atlanta APS meeting, April 2012. 33 pages, 6 figures. v2: Added update section bringing in the CERN discovery announcemen

Fractional Statistics in Three Dimensions: Compact Maxwell-Higgs System

We show that a (3+1)-dimensional system composed of an open magnetic vortex and an electrical point charge exhibits the phenomenon of Fermi-Bose transmutation. In order to provide the physical realization of this system we focus on the lattice compact scalar electrodynamics $SQED_c$ whose topological excitations are open Nielsen-Olesen strings with magnetic monopoles attached at their ends.Comment: 8 page

Bosonization and phase Diagram of the one-dimensional t-J model

We present an analytic study of the phase diagram of the one-dimensional t-J model and a couple of its cousins. To deal with the interactions induced by the no double occupancy constraints, we introduce a deformation of the Hubbard operators. When the deformation parameter $\Delta$ is small, the induced interactions are softened, accessible by perturbation theory. We combine bososnization with renormalization group techniques to map out the phase diagram of the system. We argue that when $\Delta\to 1$, there is no essential change in the phase diagram. Comparison with the existing results in the literature obtained by other methods justifies our deformation approach.Comment: 24 pages, 1 Figur

Extended axion electrodynamics: Optical activity induced by nonstationary dark matter

We establish a new self-consistent Einstein-Maxwell-axion model based on the Lagrangian, which is linear in the pseudoscalar (axion) field and its four-gradient and includes the four-vector of macroscopic velocity of the axion system as a whole. We consider extended equations of the axion electrodynamics, modified gravity field equations, and discuss nonstationary effects in the phenomenon of optical activity induced by axions.Comment: 6 pages, 0 figures, accepted for publication in the Journal Gravitation and Cosmology, reported at the 14th Russian Gravitational Conference (Ulyanovsk, 2011

Exact Wavefunctions for non-Abelian Chern-Simons Particles

Exact wavefunctions for N non-Abelian Chern-Simons (NACS) particles are obtained by the ladder operator approach. The same method has previously been applied to construct exact wavefunctions for multi-anyon systems. The two distinct base states of the NACS particles that we use are multi-valued and are defined in terms of path ordered line integrals. Only strings of operators that preserve the monodromy properties of these base states are allowed to act on them to generate new states.Comment: 19 pages, CALT-68-187

A doubled discretisation of abelian Chern-Simons theory

A new discretisation of a doubled, i.e. BF, version of the pure abelian Chern-Simons theory is presented. It reproduces the continuum expressions for the topological quantities of interest in the theory, namely the partition function and correlation function of Wilson loops. Similarities with free spinor field theory are discussed which are of interest in connection with lattice fermion doubling.Comment: 5 pages, revtex, 2 ps figures (epsf required). To appear in Phys.Rev.Let

Detailed Balance and Intermediate Statistics

We present a theory of particles, obeying intermediate statistics ("anyons"), interpolating between Bosons and Fermions, based on the principle of Detailed Balance. It is demonstrated that the scattering probabilities of identical particles can be expressed in terms of the basic numbers, which arise naturally and logically in this theory. A transcendental equation determining the distribution function of anyons is obtained in terms of the statistics parameter, whose limiting values 0 and 1 correspond to Bosons and Fermions respectively. The distribution function is determined as a power series involving the Boltzmann factor and the statistics parameter and we also express the distribution function as an infinite continued fraction. The last form enables one to develop approximate forms for the distribution function, with the first approximant agreeing with our earlier investigation.Comment: 13 pages, RevTex, submitted for publication; added references; added sentence