Equivalence classes for gauge theories

In this paper we go deep into the connection between duality and fields redefinition for general bilinear models involving the 1-form gauge field $A$. A duality operator is fixed based on "gauge embedding" procedure. Dual models are shown to fit in equivalence classes of models with same fields redefinitions

Lorentz symmetry breaking in the noncommutative Wess-Zumino model: One loop corrections

In this paper we deal with the issue of Lorentz symmetry breaking in quantum field theories formulated in a non-commutative space-time. We show that, unlike in some recente analysis of quantum gravity effects, supersymmetry does not protect the theory from the large Lorentz violating effects arising from the loop corrections. We take advantage of the non-commutative Wess-Zumino model to illustrate this point.Comment: 9 pages, revtex4. Corrected references. Version published in PR

Duality and fields redefinition in three dimensions

We analyze local fields redefinition and duality for gauge field theories in three dimensions. We find that both Maxwell-Chern-Simons and the Self-Dual models admits the same fields redefinition. Maxwell-Proca action and its dual also share this property. We show explicitly that a gauge-fixing term has no influence on duality and fields redefinition.Comment: 8 pages, suppressed contents. To appear in J. Phys.

Theory of magnetic deflagration

Theory of magnetic deflagration (avalanches) in crystals of molecular magnets has been developed. The phenomenon resembles the burning of a chemical substance, with the Zeeman energy playing the role of the chemical energy. Non-destructive reversible character of magnetic deflagration, as well as the possibility to continuously tune the flammability of the crystal by changing the magnetic field, makes molecular magnets an attractive toy system for a detailed study of the burning process. Besides simplicity, new features, as compared to the chemical burning, include possibility of quantum decay of metastable spin states and strong temperature dependence of the heat capacity and thermal conductivity. We obtain analytical and numerical solutions for criteria of the ignition of magnetic deflagration, and compute the ignition rate and the speed of the developed deflagration front.Comment: 17 Pages, 17 Figure caption