Renormalisability of noncommutative GUT inspired field theories with anomaly safe groups

We consider noncommutative GUT inspired field theories formulated within the enveloping-algebra formalism for anomaly safe compact simple gauge groups. Our theories have only gauge fields and fermions, and we compute the UV divergent part of the one-loop background-field effective action involving two fermionic fields at first order in the noncommutativity parameter theta. We show that, if the second-degree Casimir has the same value for all the irreps furnished by the fermionic multiplets of the model, then, that UV divergent part can be renormalised by carrying out multiplicative renormalisations of the coupling constant, theta and the fields, along with the inclusion of theta-dependent counterterms which vanish upon imposing the equations of motion. These theta-dependent counterterms have no physical effect since they vanish on-shell. This result along with the vanishing of the UV divergent part of the fermionic four-point functions leads to the unexpected conclusion that the one-loop matter sector of the background-field effective action of these theories is one-loop multiplicatively renormalisable on-shell. We also show that the background-field effective action of the gauge sector of the theories considered here receives no theta-dependent UV divergent contributions at one-loop. We thus conclude that these theories are on-shell one-loop multiplicatively renormalisable at first order in theta.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figure

Noncommutative N=1 super Yang-Mills, the Seiberg-Witten map and UV divergences

Classically, the dual under the Seiberg-Witten map of noncommutative U(N), {\cal N}=1 super Yang-Mills theory is a field theory with ordinary gauge symmetry whose fields carry, however, a \theta-deformed nonlinear realisation of the {\cal N}=1 supersymmetry algebra in four dimensions. For the latter theory we work out at one-loop and first order in the noncommutative parameter matrix \theta^{\mu\nu} the UV divergent part of its effective action in the background-field gauge, and, for N>=2, we show that for finite values of N the gauge sector fails to be renormalisable; however, in the large N limit the full theory is renormalisable, in keeping with the expectations raised by the quantum behaviour of the theory's noncommutative classical dual. We also obtain --for N>=3, the case with N=2 being trivial-- the UV divergent part of the effective action of the SU(N) noncommutative theory in the enveloping-algebra formalism that is obtained from the previous ordinary U(N) theory by removing the U(1) degrees of freedom. This noncommutative SU(N) theory is also renormalisable.Comment: 33 pages, 4 figures. Version 2: Unnecessary files removed. Version 3: New types of field redefinitions were considered, which make the large N U(N) and the SU(N) theories renormalisable. The conclusions for U(N) with finite N remain unchanged. Version 4: Corrected mistyped equations, minor revision

Shift versus no-shift in local regularizations of Chern-Simons theory

We consider a family of local BRS-invariant higher covariant derivative regularizations of $SU(N)$ Chern-Simons theory that do not shift the value of the Chern-Simons parameter $k$ to k+\,{\rm sign}(k)\,\cv at one loop.Comment: phyzzx, 6 pages, FTUAM 94/8, NIKHEF-H 94/14 and UPRF 93/39

Renormalisability of the matter determinants in noncommutative gauge theory in the enveloping-algebra formalism

We consider noncommutative gauge theory defined by means of Seiberg-Witten maps for an arbitrary semisimple gauge group. We compute the one-loop UV divergent matter contributions to the gauge field effective action to all orders in the noncommutative parameters $\theta$. We do this for Dirac fermions and complex scalars carrying arbitrary representations of the gauge group. We use path-integral methods in the framework of dimensional regularisation and consider arbitrary invertible Seiberg-Witten maps that are linear in the matter fields. Surprisingly, it turns out that the UV divergent parts of the matter contributions are proportional to the noncommutative Yang-Mills action where traces are taken over the representation of the matter fields; this result supports the need to include such traces in the classical action of the gauge sector of the noncommutative theory.Comment: 7 page

The Effective Potential, the Renormalisation Group and Vacuum Stability

We review the calculation of the the effective potential with particular emphasis on cases when the tree potential or the renormalisation-group-improved, radiatively corrected potential exhibits non-convex behaviour. We illustrate this in a simple Yukawa model which exhibits a novel kind of dimensional transmutation. We also review briefly earlier work on the Standard Model. We conclude that, despite some recent claims to the contrary, it can be possible to infer reliably that the tree vacuum does not represent the true ground state of the theory.Comment: 23 pages; 5 figures; v2 includes minor changes in text and additional reference

Fibre Inflation: Observable Gravity Waves from IIB String Compactifications

We introduce a simple string model of inflation, in which the inflaton field can take trans-Planckian values while driving a period of slow-roll inflation. This leads naturally to a realisation of large field inflation, inasmuch as the inflationary epoch is well described by the single-field scalar potential $V = V_0 (3-4 e^{-\hat\varphi/\sqrt{3}})$. Remarkably, for a broad class of vacua all adjustable parameters enter only through the overall coefficient $V_0$, and in particular do not enter into the slow-roll parameters. Consequently these are determined purely by the number of \e-foldings, $N_e$, and so are not independent: $\varepsilon \simeq \frac32 \eta^2$. This implies similar relations among observables like the primordial scalar-to-tensor amplitude, $r$, and the scalar spectral tilt, $n_s$: $r \simeq 6(n_s - 1)^2$. $N_e$ is itself more model-dependent since it depends partly on the post-inflationary reheat history. In a simple reheating scenario a reheating temperature of $T_{rh}\simeq 10^{9}$ GeV gives $N_e\simeq 58$, corresponding to $n_s\simeq 0.970$ and $r\simeq 0.005$, within reach of future observations. The model is an example of a class that arises naturally in the context of type IIB string compactifications with large-volume moduli stabilisation, and takes advantage of the generic existence there of Kahler moduli whose dominant appearance in the scalar potential arises from string loop corrections to the Kahler potential. The inflaton field is a combination of Kahler moduli of a K3-fibered Calabi-Yau manifold. We believe there are likely to be a great number of models in this class -- `high-fibre models' -- in which the inflaton starts off far enough up the fibre to produce observably large primordial gravity waves.Comment: Extended calculations beyond the leading approximations, including numerical integrations of multi-field evolution; Display an example with $r = 0.01$; Simplify the discussion of large fields; Corrected minor errors and typos; Added references; 41 pages LaTeX, 25 figure

Addendum to "Superimposed Oscillations in the WMAP Data?"

We elaborate further on the possibility that the inflationary primordial power spectrum contains superimposed oscillations. We study various effects which could influence the calculation of the multipole moments in this case. We also present the theoretical predictions for two other cosmological observables, the matter power spectrum and the EE polarization channel.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, uses RevTex4, matches published versio

Dirac Born Infeld (DBI) Cosmic Strings

Motivated by brane physics, we consider the non-linear Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) extension of the Abelian-Higgs model and study the corresponding cosmic string configurations. The model is defined by a potential term, assumed to be of the mexican hat form, and a DBI action for the kinetic terms. We show that it is a continuous deformation of the Abelian-Higgs model, with a single deformation parameter depending on a dimensionless combination of the scalar coupling constant, the vacuum expectation value of the scalar field at infinity, and the brane tension. By means of numerical calculations, we investigate the profiles of the corresponding DBI-cosmic strings and prove that they have a core which is narrower than that of Abelian-Higgs strings. We also show that the corresponding action is smaller than in the standard case suggesting that their formation could be favoured in brane models. Moreover we show that the DBI-cosmic string solutions are non-pathological everywhere in parameter space. Finally, in the limit in which the DBI model reduces to the Bogomolnyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) Abelian-Higgs model, we find that DBI cosmic strings are no longer BPS: rather they have positive binding energy. We thus argue that, when they meet, two DBI strings will not bind with the corresponding formation of a junction, and hence that a network of DBI strings is likely to behave as a network of standard cosmic strings.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figure

A model for gelation with explicit solvent effects: Structure and dynamics

We study a two-component model for gelation consisting of $f$-functional monomers (the gel) and inert particles (the solvent). After equilibration as a simple liquid, the gel particles are gradually crosslinked to each other until the desired number of crosslinks has been attained. At a critical crosslink density the largest gel cluster percolates and an amorphous solid forms. This percolation process is different from ordinary lattice or continuum percolation of a single species in the sense that the critical exponents are new. As the crosslink density $p$ approaches its critical value $p_c$, the shear viscosity diverges: $\eta(p)\sim (p_c-p)^{-s}$ with $s$ a nonuniversal concentration-dependent exponent.Comment: 6 pages, 9 figure