T-duality and α′\alpha'-corrections

We construct an $O(d,d)$ invariant universal formulation of the first-order $\alpha'$-corrections of the string effective actions involving the dilaton, metric and two-form fields. Two free parameters interpolate between four-derivative terms that are even and odd with respect to a $Z_2$-parity transformation that changes the sign of the two-form field. The $Z_2$-symmetric model reproduces the closed bosonic string, and the heterotic string effective action is obtained through a $Z_2$-parity-breaking choice of parameters. The theory is an extension of the generalized frame formulation of Double Field Theory, in which the gauge transformations are deformed by a first-order generalized Green-Schwarz transformation. This deformation defines a duality covariant gauge principle that requires and fixes the four-derivative terms. We discuss the $O(d,d)$ structure of the theory and the (non-)covariance of the required field redefinitions.Comment: 35 pages, v2: Minor corrections, published in JHE

Identification of fullerene-like CdSe nanoparticles from optical spectroscopy calculations

Semiconducting nanoparticles are the building blocks of optical nanodevices as their electronic states, and therefore light absorption and emission, can be controlled by modifying their size and shape. CdSe is perhaps the most studied of these nanoparticles, due to the efficiency of its synthesis, the high quality of the resulting samples, and the fact that the optical gap is in the visible range. In this article, we study light absorption of CdSe nanostructures with sizes up to 1.5 nm within density functional theory. We study both bulk fragments with wurtzite symmetry and novel fullerene-like core-cage structures. The comparison with recent experimental optical spectra allows us to confirm the synthesis of these fullerene-like CdSe clusters

Stable finite energy global vortices and asymptotic freedom

This work deals with global vortices in the three-dimensional spacetime. We study the case of a simple model with $U(1)$ symmetry and find a way to describe stable, finite energy global vortices. The price we pay to stabilize the solution is the presence of scale invariance, but we have found a way to trade it with an electric charge in a medium with generalized permittivity, which is further used to capture the basic feature of asymptotic freedom.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. To appear in EP

Exact solutions, energy and charge of stable Q-balls

In this work we deal with nontopological solutions of the Q-ball type in two spacetime dimensions. We study models of current interest, described by a Higgs-like and other, similar potentials which unveil the presence of exact solutions. We use the analytic results to investigate how to control the energy and charge to make the Q-balls stable.Comment: 11 pages, 18 figures; v2, title changed, reference adde

Cuscuton kinks and branes

In this paper, we study a peculiar model for the scalar field. We add the cuscuton term in a standard model and investigate how this inclusion modifies the usual behavior of kinks. We find the first order equations and calculate the energy density and the total energy of the system. Also, we investigate the linear stability of the model, which is governed by a Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue equation that can be transformed in an equation of the Shcr\"odinger type. The model is also investigated in the braneworld scenario, where a first order formalism is also obtained and the linear stability is investigated.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures; content added; to appear in NP