Open and Winding Membranes, Affine Matrix Theory and Matrix String Theory

We examine the structure of winding toroidal and open cylindrical membranes, especially in cases where they are stretched between boundaries. Non-zero winding or stretching means that there are linear terms in the mode expansion of the coordinates obeying Dirichlet boundary conditions. A linear term acts as an outer derivation on the subalgebra of volume-preserving diffeomorphisms generated by single-valued functions, and obstructs the truncation to matrix theory obtained via non-commutativity with rational parameter. As long as only one of the two membrane directions is stretched, the possible consistent truncation is to coordinates taking values in representations of an affine algebra. We show that this consistent truncation of the supermembrane gives a precise microscopic derivation of matrix string theory with the representation content appropriate for the physical situation. The matrix superstring theory describing parallel M5-branes is derived. We comment on the possible applications of the construction to membrane quantisation in certain M-theory backgrounds.Comment: 17 pp, 2 figs, plain tex. v2: refs. adde

Supersymmetric string model with 30 kappa--symmetries in an extended D=11 superspace and 30/ 32 BPS states

A supersymmetric string model in the D=11 superspace maximally extended by antisymmetric tensor bosonic coordinates, $\Sigma^{(528|32)}$, is proposed. It possesses 30 $\kappa$-symmetries and 32 target space supersymmetries. The usual preserved supersymmetry-$\kappa$-symmetry correspondence suggests that it describes the excitations of a BPS state preserving all but two supersymmetries. The model can also be formulated in any $\Sigma^{({n(n+1)\over 2}|n)}$ superspace, n=32 corresponding to D=11. It may also be treated as a `higher--spin generalization' of the usual Green--Schwarz superstring. Although the global symmetry of the model is a generalization of the super--Poincar\'e group, ${\Sigma}^{({n(n+1)\over 2}|n)}\times\supset Sp(n)$, it may be formulated in terms of constrained OSp(2n|1) orthosymplectic supertwistors. We work out this supertwistor realization and its Hamiltonian dynamics. We also give the supersymmetric p-brane generalization of the model. In particular, the $\Sigma^{(528|32)}$ supersymmetric membrane model describes excitations of a 30/32 BPS state, as the $\Sigma^{(528|32)}$ supersymmetric string does, while the supersymmetric 3-brane and 5-brane correspond, respectively, to 28/32 and 24/32 BPS states.Comment: 23 pages, RevTex4. V2: minor corrections in title and terminology, some references and comments adde

Remark About Scaling Limit of ABJ Theory

We generalize the suggestion presented in arXiv:0806.3498 that the 3d N=8 superconformal SU(N) Chern-Simons-matter theory of Lorentzian Bagger-Lambert-Gustavson type (L-BLG) can be obtained through the scaling limit from N=6 superconformal U(N)xU(N) Chern-Simons-matter theory of Aharony, Bergman, Jafferis and Maldacena (ABJM) to the case when we study the scaling limit of N=6 superconformal U(M)xU(N) Chern-Simons-matter theory of Aharony, Bergman and Jafferis (ABJ). We show that if we extend the ABJ theory in the same way as in arXiv:0811.1540 we can define a consistent limit that leads to SU(N) L-BLG theory together with U(M-N) Chern-Simons theory of level k.Comment: 14 pages, v2: references adde

Holography of D-Brane Reconnection

Gukov, Martinec, Moore and Strominger found that the D1-D5-D5' system with the D5-D5' angle at 45 degrees admits a deformation "rho" preserving supersymmetry. Under this deformation, the D5-branes and D5'-branes reconnect along a single special Lagrangian manifold. We construct the near-horizon limit of this brane setup (for which no supergravity solution is currently known), imposing the requisite symmetries perturbatively in the deformation rho. Reducing to the three-dimensional effective gauged supergravity, we compute the scalar potential and verify the presence of a deformation with the expected properties. We compute the conformal dimensions as functions of rho. This spectrum naturally organizes into N=3 supermultiplets, corresponding to the 3/16 preserved by the brane system. We give some remarks on the symmetric orbifold CFT for Q_D5=Q_D5', outline the computation of rho-deformed correlators in this theory, and probe computations in our rho-deformed background.Comment: 33 pages, 5 figure

Velocity-space sensitivity of the time-of-flight neutron spectrometer at JET

The velocity-space sensitivities of fast-ion diagnostics are often described by so-called weight functions. Recently, we formulated weight functions showing the velocity-space sensitivity of the often dominant beam-target part of neutron energy spectra. These weight functions for neutron emission spectrometry (NES) are independent of the particular NES diagnostic. Here we apply these NES weight functions to the time-of-flight spectrometer TOFOR at JET. By taking the instrumental response function of TOFOR into account, we calculate time-of-flight NES weight functions that enable us to directly determine the velocity-space sensitivity of a given part of a measured time-of-flight spectrum from TOFOR

On the mechanisms governing gas penetration into a tokamak plasma during a massive gas injection

A new 1D radial fluid code, IMAGINE, is used to simulate the penetration of gas into a tokamak plasma during a massive gas injection (MGI). The main result is that the gas is in general strongly braked as it reaches the plasma, due to mechanisms related to charge exchange and (to a smaller extent) recombination. As a result, only a fraction of the gas penetrates into the plasma. Also, a shock wave is created in the gas which propagates away from the plasma, braking and compressing the incoming gas. Simulation results are quantitatively consistent, at least in terms of orders of magnitude, with experimental data for a D 2 MGI into a JET Ohmic plasma. Simulations of MGI into the background plasma surrounding a runaway electron beam show that if the background electron density is too high, the gas may not penetrate, suggesting a possible explanation for the recent results of Reux et al in JET (2015 Nucl. Fusion 55 093013)

Relationship of edge localized mode burst times with divertor flux loop signal phase in JET

A phase relationship is identified between sequential edge localized modes (ELMs) occurrence times in a set of H-mode tokamak plasmas to the voltage measured in full flux azimuthal loops in the divertor region. We focus on plasmas in the Joint European Torus where a steady H-mode is sustained over several seconds, during which ELMs are observed in the Be II emission at the divertor. The ELMs analysed arise from intrinsic ELMing, in that there is no deliberate intent to control the ELMing process by external means. We use ELM timings derived from the Be II signal to perform direct time domain analysis of the full flux loop VLD2 and VLD3 signals, which provide a high cadence global measurement proportional to the voltage induced by changes in poloidal magnetic flux. Specifically, we examine how the time interval between pairs of successive ELMs is linked to the time-evolving phase of the full flux loop signals. Each ELM produces a clear early pulse in the full flux loop signals, whose peak time is used to condition our analysis. The arrival time of the following ELM, relative to this pulse, is found to fall into one of two categories: (i) prompt ELMs, which are directly paced by the initial response seen in the flux loop signals; and (ii) all other ELMs, which occur after the initial response of the full flux loop signals has decayed in amplitude. The times at which ELMs in category (ii) occur, relative to the first ELM of the pair, are clustered at times when the instantaneous phase of the full flux loop signal is close to its value at the time of the first ELM

Experimental confirmation of efficient island divertor operation and successful neoclassical transport optimization in Wendelstein 7-X

We present recent highlights from the most recent operation phases of Wendelstein 7-X, the most advanced stellarator in the world. Stable detachment with good particle exhaust, low impurity content, and energy confinement times exceeding 100 ms, have been maintained for tens of seconds. Pellet fueling allows for plasma phases with reduced ion-temperature-gradient turbulence, and during such phases, the overall confinement is so good (energy confinement times often exceeding 200 ms) that the attained density and temperature profiles would not have been possible in less optimized devices, since they would have had neoclassical transport losses exceeding the heating applied in W7-X. This provides proof that the reduction of neoclassical transport through magnetic field optimization is successful. W7-X plasmas generally show good impurity screening and high plasma purity, but there is evidence of longer impurity confinement times during turbulence-suppressed phases.EC/H2020/633053/EU/Implementation of activities described in the Roadmap to Fusion during Horizon 2020 through a Joint programme of the members of the EUROfusion consortium/ EUROfusio

Brachial plexus neuropathy - a long-term outcome study

This retrospective study assessed the long-term outcome of brachial plexus neuropathy in 16 patients. The mean follow up was 8 years. Nine patients complained of persistent pain and muscle weakness, four had continuing problems with various activities of daily living and 11 had trouble with some housekeeping activities. Furthermore, eight of the patients had to change their occupation