Gauge invariance and classical dynamics of noncommutative particle theory

We consider a model of classical noncommutative particle in an external electromagnetic field. For this model, we prove the existence of generalized gauge transformations. Classical dynamics in Hamiltonian and Lagrangian form is discussed, in particular, the motion in the constant magnetic field is studied in detail.Comment: 10 page

Nonassociative Weyl star products

Deformation quantization is a formal deformation of the algebra of smooth functions on some manifold. In the classical setting, the Poisson bracket serves as an initial conditions, while the associativity allows to proceed to higher orders. Some applications to string theory require deformation in the direction of a quasi-Poisson bracket (that does not satisfy the Jacobi identity). This initial condition is incompatible with associativity, it is quite unclear which restrictions can be imposed on the deformation. We show that for any quasi-Poisson bracket the deformation quantization exists and is essentially unique if one requires (weak) hermiticity and the Weyl condition. We also propose an iterative procedure that allows to compute the star product up to any desired order.Comment: discussion extended, tipos corrected, published versio

Current fluctuations in composite conductors: Beyond the second cumulant

Employing the non-linear $\sigma$-model we analyze current fluctuations in coherent composite conductors which contain a diffusive element in-between two tunnel barriers. For such systems we explicitly evaluate the frequency-dependent third current cumulant which also determines the leading Coulomb interaction correction to shot noise. Our predictions can be directly tested in future experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

Properties of tunnel Josephson junctions with a ferromagnetic interlayer

We investigate superconductor/insulator/ferromagnet/superconductor (SIFS) tunnel Josephson junctions in the dirty limit, using the quasiclassical theory. We formulate a quantitative model describing the oscillations of critical current as a function of thickness of the ferromagnetic layer and use this model to fit recent experimental data. We also calculate quantitatively the density of states (DOS) in this type of junctions and compare DOS oscillations with those of the critical current.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Russia and India : correcting damaged relations

For more about the East-West Center, see http://www.eastwestcenter.org/Alexey Kupriyanov, research fellow at the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, Moscow, explains that "with the collapse of the USSR in 1991, the Russo-Indian friendship fell into crisis. The onset of the new world order and the end of the Cold War forced India and Russia to completely reconsider their places in the world.

Critical current in Nb-Cu-Nb junctions with non-ideal interfaces

We report on experimental studies of superconductor (Nb) - normal metal (Cu) - superconductor (Nb) junctions with dirty interfaces between the different materials. By using a set of simultaneously prepared samples, we investigated the thickness dependence as well as the temperature dependence of the critical currents in the junctions. Good agreement between the decay of the measured critical currents and theoretical calculations was obtained without any fitting parameters