On stringy AdS_5 x S^5 and higher spin holography

We derive the spectrum of Kaluza-Klein descendants of string excitations on AdS_5 x S^5. String states are organized in long multiplets of the AdS supergroup SU(2,2|4,R) with a rich pattern of shortenings at the higher spin enhancement point \lambda=0. The string states holographically dual to the higher spin currents of SYM theory in the strict zero coupling limit are identified together with the corresponding Goldstone particles responsible for the Higgsing of the higher spin symmetry at \lambda\neq 0. Exploiting higher spin symmetry we propose a very simple yet effective mass formula and establish a one-to-one correspondence between the complete spectrum of \Delta_0 <= 4 string states and relevant/marginal single-trace deformations in N=4 SYM theory at large N. To this end, we describe how to efficiently enumerate scaling operators in `free' YM theory, with the inclusion of fermionic `letters', by resorting to Polya theory. Comparison between the spectra of 1/4-BPS states is also presented. Finally, we discuss how to organize the spectrum of N=4 SYM theory in SU(2,2|4,R) supermultiplets by means of some kind of `Eratostenes's sieve'.Comment: 38 pages, LateX2e, references adde

Interferometric Detection of Planets/Gaps in Protoplanetary Disks

We investigate the possibility to find evidence for planets in circumstellar disks by infrared and submillimeter interferometry. Hydrodynamical simulations of a circumstellar disk around a solar-type star with an embedded planet of 1 Jupiter mass are presented. On the basis of 3D radiative transfer simulations, images of this system are calculated. These intensity maps provide the basis for the simulation of the interferometers VLTI (equipped with the mid-infrared instrument MIDI) and ALMA. While ALMA will provide the necessary basis for a direct gap and therefore indirect planet detection, MIDI/VLTI will provide the possibility to distinguish between disks with or without accretion on the central star on the basis of visibility measurements.Comment: 4 pages, TeX (or Latex, etc); to appear in proceedings of "Scientific Frontiers in Research on Extrasolar Planets

Operator product expansions as a consequence of phase space properties

The paper presents a model-independent, nonperturbative proof of operator product expansions in quantum field theory. As an input, a recently proposed phase space condition is used that allows a precise description of point field structures. Based on the product expansions, we also define and analyze normal products (in the sense of Zimmermann).Comment: v3: minor wording changes, as to appear in J. Math. Phys.; 12 page