Moduli stabilization with open and closed string fluxes

We study the stabilization of all closed string moduli in the T^6/Z_2 orientifold, using constant internal magnetic fields and 3-form fluxes that preserve N=1 supersymmetry in four dimensions. We first analyze the stabilization of Kahler class and complex structure moduli by turning on magnetic fluxes on different sets of D9 branes that wrap the internal space T^6/Z_2. We present explicit consistent string constructions, satisfying in particular tadpole cancellation, where the radii can take arbitrarily large values by tuning the winding numbers appropriately. We then show that the dilaton-axion modulus can also be fixed by turning on closed string constant 3-form fluxes, consistently with the supersymmetry preserved by the magnetic fields, providing at the same time perturbative values for the string coupling. Finally, several models are presented combining open string magnetic fields that fix part of Kahler class and complex structure moduli, with closed string 3-form fluxes that stabilize the remaining ones together with the dilaton.Comment: 49 pages, a new model added, as well as improvements and reference

Magnetic fluxes and moduli stabilization

Stabilization of closed string moduli in toroidal orientifold compactifications of type IIB string theory are studied using constant internal magnetic fields on D-branes and 3-form fluxes that preserve N=1 supersymmetry in four dimensions. Our analysis corrects and extends previous work by us, and indicates that charged scalar VEV's need to be turned on, in addition to the fluxes, in order to construct a consistent supersymmetric model. As an explicit example, we first show the stabilization of all Kahler class and complex structure moduli by turning on magnetic fluxes on different sets of D9-branes that wrap the internal space T^6 in a compactified type I string theory, when a charged scalar on one of these branes acquires a non-zero VEV. The latter can also be determined by adding extra magnetized branes, as we demonstrate in a subsequent example. In a different model with magnetized D7-branes, in a IIB orientifold on T^6/Z_2, we show the stabilization of all the closed string moduli, including the axion-dilaton at weak string coupling g_s, by turning on appropriate closed string 3-form fluxes.Comment: v2: minor changes, added discussio

Hard hexagon partition function for complex fugacity

We study the analyticity of the partition function of the hard hexagon model in the complex fugacity plane by computing zeros and transfer matrix eigenvalues for large finite size systems. We find that the partition function per site computed by Baxter in the thermodynamic limit for positive real values of the fugacity is not sufficient to describe the analyticity in the full complex fugacity plane. We also obtain a new algebraic equation for the low density partition function per site.Comment: 49 pages, IoP styles files, lots of figures (png mostly) so using PDFLaTeX. Some minor changes added to version 2 in response to referee report

Integrability vs non-integrability: Hard hexagons and hard squares compared

In this paper we compare the integrable hard hexagon model with the non-integrable hard squares model by means of partition function roots and transfer matrix eigenvalues. We consider partition functions for toroidal, cylindrical, and free-free boundary conditions up to sizes $40\times40$ and transfer matrices up to 30 sites. For all boundary conditions the hard squares roots are seen to lie in a bounded area of the complex fugacity plane along with the universal hard core line segment on the negative real fugacity axis. The density of roots on this line segment matches the derivative of the phase difference between the eigenvalues of largest (and equal) moduli and exhibits much greater structure than the corresponding density of hard hexagons. We also study the special point $z=-1$ of hard squares where all eigenvalues have unit modulus, and we give several conjectures for the value at $z=-1$ of the partition functions.Comment: 46 page

The diagonal Ising susceptibility

We use the recently derived form factor expansions of the diagonal two-point correlation function of the square Ising model to study the susceptibility for a magnetic field applied only to one diagonal of the lattice, for the isotropic Ising model. We exactly evaluate the one and two particle contributions $\chi_{d}^{(1)}$ and $\chi_{d}^{(2)}$ of the corresponding susceptibility, and obtain linear differential equations for the three and four particle contributions, as well as the five particle contribution ${\chi}^{(5)}_d(t)$, but only modulo a given prime. We use these exact linear differential equations to show that, not only the russian-doll structure, but also the direct sum structure on the linear differential operators for the $n$-particle contributions $\chi_{d}^{(n)}$ are quite directly inherited from the direct sum structure on the form factors $f^{(n)}$. We show that the $n^{th}$ particle contributions $\chi_{d}^{(n)}$ have their singularities at roots of unity. These singularities become dense on the unit circle $|\sinh2E_v/kT \sinh 2E_h/kT|=1$ as $n\to \infty$.Comment: 18 page

Further Wolf-Rayet stars in the starburst cluster Westerlund 1

We present new low and intermediate-resolution spectroscopic observations of the Wolf Rayet (WR) star population in the massive starburst cluster Westerlund 1. Finding charts are presented for five new WRs - four WNL and one WCL - raising the current total of known WRs in the cluster to 19. We also present new spectra and correct identifications for the majority of the 14 WR stars previously known, notably confirming the presence of two WNVL stars. Finally we briefly discuss the massive star population of Westerlund 1 in comparison to other massive young galactic clusters.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics. Eight pages, six figures. Replaced with final version, some minor change

Random Matrix Theory and Classical Statistical Mechanics. I. Vertex Models

A connection between integrability properties and general statistical properties of the spectra of symmetric transfer matrices of the asymmetric eight-vertex model is studied using random matrix theory (eigenvalue spacing distribution and spectral rigidity). For Yang-Baxter integrable cases, including free-fermion solutions, we have found a Poissonian behavior, whereas level repulsion close to the Wigner distribution is found for non-integrable models. For the asymmetric eight-vertex model, however, the level repulsion can also disappearand the Poisson distribution be recovered on (non Yang--Baxter integrable) algebraic varieties, the so-called disorder varieties. We also present an infinite set of algebraic varieties which are stable under the action of an infinite discrete symmetry group of the parameter space. These varieties are possible loci for free parafermions. Using our numerical criterion we have tested the generic calculability of the model on these algebraic varieties.Comment: 25 pages, 7 PostScript Figure

High order Fuchsian equations for the square lattice Ising model: χ(6)\chi^{(6)}

This paper deals with $\tilde{\chi}^{(6)}$, the six-particle contribution to the magnetic susceptibility of the square lattice Ising model. We have generated, modulo a prime, series coefficients for $\tilde{\chi}^{(6)}$. The length of the series is sufficient to produce the corresponding Fuchsian linear differential equation (modulo a prime). We obtain the Fuchsian linear differential equation that annihilates the "depleted" series $\Phi^{(6)}=\tilde{\chi}^{(6)} - {2 \over 3} \tilde{\chi}^{(4)} + {2 \over 45} \tilde{\chi}^{(2)}$. The factorization of the corresponding differential operator is performed using a method of factorization modulo a prime introduced in a previous paper. The "depleted" differential operator is shown to have a structure similar to the corresponding operator for $\tilde{\chi}^{(5)}$. It splits into factors of smaller orders, with the left-most factor of order six being equivalent to the symmetric fifth power of the linear differential operator corresponding to the elliptic integral $E$. The right-most factor has a direct sum structure, and using series calculated modulo several primes, all the factors in the direct sum have been reconstructed in exact arithmetics.Comment: 23 page

Comparison of the efficacy of natural-based and synthetic biocides to disinfect silicone and stainless steel surfaces

New biocidal solutions are needed to combat effectively the evolution of microbes developing antibiotic resistance while having a low or no environmental toxicity impact. This work aims to assess the efficacy of commonly used biocides and natural-based compounds on the disinfection of silicone and stainless steel (SS) surfaces seeded with different Staphylococcus aureus strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration was determined for synthetic (benzalkonium chloride-BAC, glutaraldehyde-GTA, ortho-phthalaldehyde-OPA and peracetic acid-PAA) and natural-based (cuminaldehyde-CUM), eugenol-EUG and indole-3-carbinol-I3C) biocides by the microdilution method. The efficacy of selected biocides at MIC, 10×MIC and 5500 mg/L (representative in-use concentration) on the disinfection of sessile S. aureus on silicone and SS was assessed by viable counting. Silicone surfaces were harder to disinfect than SS. GTA, OPA and PAA yielded complete CFU reduction of sessile cells for all test concentrations as well as BAC at 10×MIC and 5500 mg/L. CUM was the least efficient compound. EUG was efficient for SS disinfection, regardless of strains and concentrations tested. I3C at 10×MIC and 5500 mg/L was able to cause total CFU reduction of silicone and SS deposited bacteria. Although not so efficient as synthetic compounds, the natural-based biocides are promising to be used in disinfectant formulations, particularly I3C and EUG