Symmetry Breaking Using Value Precedence

We present a comprehensive study of the use of value precedence constraints to break value symmetry. We first give a simple encoding of value precedence into ternary constraints that is both efficient and effective at breaking symmetry. We then extend value precedence to deal with a number of generalizations like wreath value and partial interchangeability. We also show that value precedence is closely related to lexicographical ordering. Finally, we consider the interaction between value precedence and symmetry breaking constraints for variable symmetries.Comment: 17th European Conference on Artificial Intelligenc

New Reducible Five-brane Solutions in M-theory

We construct new M-theory solutions of M5 branes that are a realization of the fully localized ten dimensional NS5/D6 and NS5/D5 brane intersections. These solutions are obtained by embedding self-dual geometries lifted to M-theory. We reduce these solutions down to ten dimensions, obtaining new D-brane systems in type IIA/IIB supergravity. The worldvolume theories of the NS5-branes are new non-local, non-gravitational, six dimensional, T-dual little string theories with eight supersymmetries.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures, two paragraphs added in conclusions, typos correcte

Leptogenesis, neutrino masses and gauge unification

Leptogenesis is considered in its natural context where Majorana neutrinos fit in a gauge unification scheme and therefore couple to some extra gauge bosons. The masses of some of these gauge bosons are expected to be similar to those of the heavy Majorana particles, and this can have important consequences for leptogenesis. In fact, the effect can go both ways. Stricter bounds are obtained on one hand due to the dilution of the CP-violating effect by new decay and scattering channels, while, in a re-heating scheme, the presence of gauge couplings facilitates the re-population of the Majorana states. The latter effect allows in particular for smaller Dirac couplings.Comment: 11pages, 7 figures. v2: definition of the lepton asymmetry corrected, small numerical changes for the baryon number, conclusion does not change; typos corrected and references adde

Nuttier Bubbles

We construct new explicit solutions of general relativity from double analytic continuations of Taub-NUT spacetimes. This generalizes previous studies of 4-dimensional nutty bubbles. One 5-dimensional locally asymptotically AdS solution in particular has a special conformal boundary structure of $AdS_3\times S^1$. We compute its boundary stress tensor and relate it to the properties of the dual field theory. Interestingly enough, we also find consistent 6-dimensional bubble solutions that have only one timelike direction. The existence of such spacetimes with non-trivial topology is closely related to the existence of the Taub-NUT(-AdS) solutions with more than one NUT charge. Finally, we begin an investigation of generating new solutions from Taub-NUT spacetimes and nuttier bubbles. Using the so-called Hopf duality, we provide new explicit time-dependent backgrounds in six dimensions.Comment: 32 pages, 1 figure; v.3. typos corrected. Matches the published versio

Neutrinos in flat extra dimension: towards a realistic scenario

We consider the simple extension of the Standard Model in which an additional right handed neutrino propagates along a flat extra dimension, while the Standard Model fields are confined on a 3-brane. The fifth dimension is $S^1/Z_2$ orbifold compactified. In this scenario, the neutrino mass can be naturally suppressed. By studying systematically the fundamental parameter space, we show that the strong phenomenological constraints on mixing angles between active and sterile neutrinos (especially those derived from the SNO experiment data) do not conflict with the possibility of generating a realistic neutrino mass spectrum. As a second step, we explore the possibility of a successful leptogenesis through the decays of the Kaluza-Klein excitations of the right handed neutrino.Comment: 16 pages, 2 ps figure

The black hole final state

We propose that in quantum gravity one needs to impose a final state boundary condition at black hole singularities. This resolves the apparent contradiction between string theory and semiclassical arguments over whether black hole evaporation is unitary.Comment: 17 pages, harvmac, 1 figure, v2: comment about interactions and references adde

Exact Gravity Dual of a Gapless Superconductor

A model of an exact gravity dual of a gapless superconductor is presented in which the condensate is provided by a charged scalar field coupled to a bulk black hole of hyperbolic horizon in asymptotically AdS spacetime. Below a critical temperature, the black hole acquires its hair through a phase transition while an electromagnetic perturbation of the background Maxwell field determines the conductivity of the boundary theory.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, a section on the stability of the MTZ black hole is added, references are added, version to be published in JHE

Non Uniform Black Strings and Critical Dimensions in AdSdAdS_d

We study the equations of black strings in spacetimes of arbitrary dimensions with a negative cosmological constant and construct numerically non uniform black strings solutions. Our results suggest the existence of a localised black hole in asymptotically locally $AdS$ spacetime. We also present evidences for a dependence of the critical dimension on the horizon radius.The critical dimension represents the dimension where the order of the phase transition between uniform and non uniform black string changes. Finally, we argue that both, the regular asymptotically locally $AdS$ solution and $AdS$ black string solutions with a very small horizon radius, present a negative tension. This turns out to be an unexpected feature of the solutions.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure