Revised Conditions for MRI due to Isorotation Theorem

We re-analyze the physical conditions for Magneto-rotational Instability (MRI) within a steady axisymmetric stratified disk of plasma, in order to account for the so-called isorotation theory (the spatial profile of differential angular velocity depends on the magnetic flux surface). We develop the study of linear stability around an astrophysical background configuration, following the original derivation in \cite{Ba:1995}, but implementing the isorotation condition as the orthogonality between the background magnetic field and the angular velocity gradient. We demonstrate that a dependence on the background magnetic field direction is restored in the dispersion relation and, hence, the emergence of MRI is also influenced by field orientation.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

The Immirzi parameter from an external scalar field

We promote the Immirzi parameter to be a minimally coupled scalar field and we analyzed the Hamiltonian constraints in the framework of Loop Quantum Gravity without the time gauge. Proper SU(2) connections can be defined and a term containing derivatives of the field $\beta$ enters into their definition. Furthermore, boost degrees of freedom are non-dynamical, while the super-momentum constraints coincide with the scalar field case. Hence, the kinematical Hilbert space can be defined as for gravity in presence of a minimally coupled scalar field. Then, we analyzed the dynamical implications of this scenario and we outlined how a the dynamical relaxation to a non-vanishing vacuum expectation value is predicted.Comment: 5 page

Quasi-linear model for the beam-plasma instability: analysis of the self-consistent evolution

We re-analyze the quasi-linear self consistent dynamics for the beam-plasma instability, by comparing the theory predictions to numerical simulations of the corresponding Hamiltonian system. While the diffusive features of the asymptotic dynamics are reliably predicted, the early temporal mesoscale transport appears less efficient in reproducing the convective feature of the self-consistent scenario. As a result, we identify the origin of the observed discrepancy in the underlying quasi-linear model assumption that the distribution function is quasi-stationary. Furthermore, we provide a correction to the instantaneous quasi-linear growth rate based on a linear expansion of the distribution function time dependence, and we successfully test this revised formulation for the spectral evolution during the temporal mesoscale.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

Spin connection as Lorentz gauge field: propagating torsion

We propose a modified gravitational action containing besides the Einstein-Cartan term some quadratic contributions resembling the Yang-Mills lagrangian for the Lorentz spin connections. We outline how a propagating torsion arises and we solve explicitly the linearised equations of motion on a Minkowski background. We identify among torsion components six degrees of freedom: one is carried by a pseudo-scalar particle, five by a tachyon field. By adding spinor fields and neglecting backreaction on the geometry, we point out how only the pseudo-scalar particle couples directly with fermions, but the resulting coupling constant is suppressed by the ratio between fermion and Planck masses. Including backreaction, we demonstrate how the tachyon field provides causality violation in the matter sector, via an interaction mediated by gravitational waves.Comment: 7 pages, no figures, new section adde