Can type II Semi-local cosmic strings form?

We present the simplest possible model for a semi-local string defect in which a U(1) gauged subgroup of an otherwise global SU(2) is broken to produce local cosmic strings endowed with current-carrying properties. Restricting attention to type II vortices for which the non current-carrying state is unstable, we show that a condensate must form microscopically and macroscopically evolve towards a chiral configuration. It has been suggested that such configurations could potentially exist in a stable state, thereby inducing large cosmological consequences based on equilibrium angular momentum supported loop configurations (vortons). Here we show that the current itself induces a macroscopic (longitudinal) instability: we conclude that type II semi-local cosmic strings cannot form in a cosmological context.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure

Single exposure 3D imaging of dusty plasma clusters

We have worked out the details of a single camera, single exposure method to perform three-dimensional imaging of a finite particle cluster. The procedure is based on the plenoptic imaging principle and utilizes a commercial Lytro light field still camera. We demonstrate the capabilities of our technique on a single layer particle cluster in a dusty plasma, where the camera is aligned inclined at a small angle to the particle layer. The reconstruction of the third coordinate (depth) is found to be accurate and even shadowing particles can be identified.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to Rev. Sci. Inst

Self-Consistent Projection Operator Theory for Quantum Many-Body Systems

We derive an exact equation of motion for the reduced density matrices of individual subsystems of quantum many-body systems of any lattice dimension and arbitrary system size. Our projection operator based theory yields a highly efficient analytical and numerical approach. Besides its practical use it provides a novel interpretation and systematic extension of mean-field approaches and an adaption of open quantum systems theory to settings where a dynamically evolving environment has to be taken into account. We show its high accuracy for two significant classes of complex quantum many-body dynamics, unitary evolutions of non-equilibrium states in closed and stationary states in driven-dissipative systems.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Factorization of 3-point static structure functions in 3D Yukawa liquids

In many-body systems the convolution approximation states that the 3-point static structure function, $S^{(3)}(\textbf{k}_{1},\textbf{k}_{2})$, can approximately be "factorized" in terms of the 2-point counterpart, $S^{(2)}(\textbf{k}_{1})$. We investigate the validity of this approximation in 3-dimensional strongly-coupled Yukawa liquids: the factorization is tested for specific arrangements of the wave vectors $\textbf{k}_{1}$ and $\textbf{k}_{2}$, with molecular dynamics simulations. With the increase of the coupling parameter we find a breakdown of factorization, of which a notable example is the appearance of negative values of $S^{(3)}(\textbf{k}_{1},\textbf{k}_{2})$, whereas the approximate factorized form is restricted to positive values. These negative values -- based on the quadratic Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem -- imply that the quadratic part of the density response of the system changes sign with wave number. Our simulations that incorporate an external potential energy perturbation clearly confirm this behavior

Model reduction of controlled Fokker--Planck and Liouville-von Neumann equations

Model reduction methods for bilinear control systems are compared by means of practical examples of Liouville-von Neumann and Fokker--Planck type. Methods based on balancing generalized system Gramians and on minimizing an H2-type cost functional are considered. The focus is on the numerical implementation and a thorough comparison of the methods. Structure and stability preservation are investigated, and the competitiveness of the approaches is shown for practically relevant, large-scale examples

Intensity distribution of non-linear scattering states

We investigate the interplay between coherent effects characteristic of the propagation of linear waves, the non-linear effects due to interactions, and the quantum manifestations of classical chaos due to geometrical confinement, as they arise in the context of the transport of Bose-Einstein condensates. We specifically show that, extending standard methods for non-interacting systems, the body of the statistical distribution of intensities for scattering states solving the Gross-Pitaevskii equation is very well described by a local Gaussian ansatz with a position-dependent variance. We propose a semiclassical approach based on interfering classical paths to fix the single parameter describing the universal deviations from a global Gaussian distribution. Being tail effects, rare events like rogue waves characteristic of non-linear field equations do not affect our results.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, submitted to Proceedings MARIBOR 201

Financial integration, specialization and systemic risk

This paper studies the implications of cross-border financial integration for financial stability when banks' loan portfolios adjust endogenously. Banks can be subject to sectoral and aggregate domestic shocks. After integration they can share these risks in a complete interbank market. When banks have a comparative advantage in providing credit to certain industries, financial integration may induce banks to specialize in lending. An enhanced concentration in lending does not necessarily increase risk, because a well-functioning interbank market allows to achieve the necessary diversification. This greater need for risk sharing, though, increases the risk of cross-border contagion and the likelihood of widespread banking crises. However, even though integration increases the risk of contagion it improves welfare if it permits banks to realize specialization benefits. JEL Classification: D61, E44, G21.Financial integration, specialization, interbank market, financial contagion.