Non-linear sigma-models in noncommutative geometry: fields with values in finite spaces

We study sigma-models on noncommutative spaces, notably on noncommutative tori. We construct instanton solutions carrying a nontrivial topological charge q and satisfying a Belavin-Polyakov bound. The moduli space of these instantons is conjectured to consists of an ordinary torus endowed with a complex structure times a projective space $CP^{q-1}$.Comment: Latex, 10 page

Quantum field theory on projective modules

We propose a general formulation of perturbative quantum field theory on (finitely generated) projective modules over noncommutative algebras. This is the analogue of scalar field theories with non-trivial topology in the noncommutative realm. We treat in detail the case of Heisenberg modules over noncommutative tori and show how these models can be understood as large rectangular pxq matrix models, in the limit p/q->theta, where theta is a possibly irrational number. We find out that the modele is highly sensitive to the number-theoretical aspect of theta and suffers from an UV/IR-mixing. We give a way to cure the entanglement and prove one-loop renormalizability.Comment: 52 pages, uses feynm

Optimal combining of ground-based sensors for the purpose of validating satellite-based rainfall estimates

Two problems related to radar rainfall estimation are described. The first part is a description of a preliminary data analysis for the purpose of statistical estimation of rainfall from multiple (radar and raingage) sensors. Raingage, radar, and joint radar-raingage estimation is described, and some results are given. Statistical parameters of rainfall spatial dependence are calculated and discussed in the context of optimal estimation. Quality control of radar data is also described. The second part describes radar scattering by ellipsoidal raindrops. An analytical solution is derived for the Rayleigh scattering regime. Single and volume scattering are presented. Comparison calculations with the known results for spheres and oblate spheroids are shown

Renormalization group-like proof of the universality of the Tutte polynomial for matroids

In this paper we give a new proof of the universality of the Tutte polynomial for matroids. This proof uses appropriate characters of Hopf algebra of matroids, algebra introduced by Schmitt (1994). We show that these Hopf algebra characters are solutions of some differential equations which are of the same type as the differential equations used to describe the renormalization group flow in quantum field theory. This approach allows us to also prove, in a different way, a matroid Tutte polynomial convolution formula published by Kook, Reiner and Stanton (1999). This FPSAC contribution is an extended abstract.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, conference proceedings, 25th International Conference on Formal Power Series and Algebraic Combinatorics, Paris, France, June 201

Exact solitons on noncommutative tori

We construct exact solitons on noncommutative tori for the type of actions arising from open string field theory. Given any projector that describes an extremum of the tachyon potential, we interpret the remaining gauge degrees of freedom as a gauge theory on the projective module determined by the tachyon. Whenever this module admits a constant curvature connection, it solves exactly the equations of motion of the effective string field theory. We describe in detail such a construction on the noncommutative tori. Whereas our exact solution relies on the coupling to a gauge theory, we comment on the construction of approximate solutions in the absence of gauge fields.Comment: 22 pages, JHEP style, typos corrected and references improve

Quasi-quantum groups from Kalb-Ramond fields and magnetic amplitudes for strings on orbifolds

We present the general form of the operators that lift the group action on the twisted sectors of a bosonic string on an orbifold ${\cal M}/G$, in the presence of a Kalb-Ramond field strength $H$. These operators turn out to generate the quasi-quantum group $D_{\omega}[G]$, introduced in the context of orbifold conformal field theory by R. Dijkgraaf, V. Pasquier and P. Roche. The 3-cocycle $\omega$ entering in the definition of $D_{\omega}[G]$ is related to $H$ by a series of cohomological equations in a tricomplex combining de Rham, Cech and group coboundaries. We construct magnetic amplitudes for the twisted sectors and show that $\omega=1$ arises as a consistency condition for the orbifold theory. Finally, we recover discrete torsion as an ambiguity in the lift of the group action to twisted sectors, in accordance with previous results presented by E. Sharpe