On higher derivative corrections to Wess-Zumino and Tachyonic actions in type II super string theory

We evaluate in detail the string scattering amplitude to compute different interactions of two massless scalars, one tachyon and one closed string Ramond-Ramond field in type II super string theory. In particular we find two scalar field and two tachyon couplings to all orders of $\alpha'$ up to on-shell ambiguity. We then obtain the momentum expansion of this amplitude and apply this infinite number of couplings to actually check that the infinite number of tachyon poles of S-matrix element of this amplitude for the $p=n$ case (where $p$ is the spatial dimension of a D$_p$-brane and $n$ is the rank of a Ramond-Ramond field strength) to all orders of $\alpha'$ is precisely equal to the infinite number of tachyon poles of the field theory. In addition to confirming the couplings of closed string Ramond-Ramond field to the world-volume gauge field and scalar fields including commutators, we also propose an extension of the Wess-Zumino action which naturally reproduces these new couplings in field theory such that they could be confirmed with direct S-matrix computations. Finally we show that the infinite number of massless poles and contact terms of this amplitude for the $p=n+1$ case can be reproduced by Chern-Simons, higher derivative corrections of the Wess-Zumino and symmetrized trace tachyon DBI actions.Comment: 51 pages, some refs and comments added, typos are removed. Almost all ambiguities in BPS and non-BPS effective actions have been addresse

Microcausality of spin-induced noncommutative theories

In this brief report, the microcausility of quantum field theory on spin-induced noncom- mutative spacetime is discussed. It is found that for spacelike seperation the microcausality is not obeyed by the theory generally. It means that Lorentz covariance can not guaran- tee microcausality in quantum field thoery. We also give some comments about quantum field thoeries on such noncommutative spacetime and the relations between noncommutative spacetime and causality.Comment: 9 pages, no figur

Climate change: Why the conspiracy theories are dangerous

Uncertainty surrounds the public understanding of climate change and provides fertile ground for conspiracy theories. Typically, such conspiracy theories assert that climate scientists and politicians are distorting or hijacking the science to suit their own purposes. Climate change conspiracy theories resemble other conspiracy theories in some respects, but in others they appear to be quite different. For example, climate change conspiracy theories appear to be motivated by the desire to deny or minimize an unwelcome and threatening conclusion. They also appear to be more contentious than other types of conspiracy theories. Perhaps to an unparalleled extent, people on both sides of the issue champion climate change conspiracy theories. Finally, more than other conspiracy theories, those concerning climate change appear to be more politically loaded, dividing opinion across the left-right continuum. Some empirical evidence suggests that climate change conspiracy theories may be harmful, steering people away from environmentally friendly initiatives. They therefore present a significant challenge for governments and environmental organizations that are attempting to convince people to take action against global warming

The Physical Properties of LBGs at z>5: Outflows and the "pre-enrichment problem"

We discuss the properties of Lyman Break galaxies (LBGs) at z>5 as determined from disparate fields covering approximately 500 sq. arcmin. While the broad characteristics of the LBG population has been discussed extensively in the literature, such as luminosity functions and clustering amplitude, we focus on the detailed physical properties of the sources in this large survey (>100 with spectroscopic redshifts). Specifically, we discuss ensemble mass estimates, stellar mass surface densities, core phase space densities, star-formation intensities, characteristics of their stellar populations, etc as obtained from multi-wavelength data (rest-frame UV through optical) for a subsample of these galaxies. In particular, we focus on evidence that these galaxies drive vigorous outflows and speculate that this population may solve the so-called ``pre-enrichment problem''. The general picture that emerges from these studies is that these galaxies, observed about 1 Gyr after the Big Bang, have properties consistent with being the progenitors of the densest stellar systems in the local Universe -- the centers of old bulges and early type galaxies.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in "Pathways Through an Eclectic Universe", J. H. Knappen, T. J. Mahoney, and A. Vazedekis (Eds.), ASP Conf. Ser., 200

Clearing residual planetesimals by sweeping secular resonances in transitional disks: a lone-planet scenario for the wide gaps in debris disks around Vega and Fomalhaut

Extended gaps in the debris disks of both Vega and Fomalhaut have been observed. These structures have been attributed to tidal perturbations by multiple super-Jupiter gas giant planets. Within the current observational limits, however, no such massive planets have been detected. Here we propose a less stringent `lone-planet' scenario to account for the observed structure with a single eccentric gas giant and suggest that clearing of these wide gaps is induced by its sweeping secular resonance. During the depletion of the disk gas, the planet's secular resonance propagates inward and clears a wide gap over an extended region of the disk. Although some residual intermediate-size planetesimals may remain in the gap, their surface density is too low to either produce super-Earths or lead to sufficiently frequent disruptive collisions to generate any observable dusty signatures. The main advantage of this lone-planet sweeping-secular-resonance model over the previous multiple gas giant tidal truncation scenario is the relaxed requirement on the number of gas giants. The observationally inferred upper mass limit can also be satisfied provided the hypothetical planet has a significant eccentricity. A significant fraction of solar or more massive stars bear gas giant planets with significant eccentricities. If these planets acquired their present-day kinematic properties prior to the depletion of their natal disks, their sweeping secular resonance would effectively impede the retention of neighboring planets and planetesimals over a wide range of orbital semi-major axes.Comment: 20 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

D-instantons probing D3-branes and the AdS/CFT correspondence

D-instantons are considered as a probe of coinciding $N$ D3-branes. They can feel an external metric via the commutator terms in their effective action. We show that when the D-instantons are separated from the D3-branes, the metric which is probed at the one loop level, {\it exactly} coincides with that of the BPS R-R 3-brane. Interesting connection of this result to the possible explanation of the AdS/CFT correspondence within IKKT M-atrix theory is discussed.Comment: 8pp., Latex. Minor changes, misprints are correcte

5D Yang-Mills instantons from ABJM Monopoles

In the presence of a background supergravity flux, N M2-branes will expand via the Myers effect into M5-branes wrapped on a fuzzy three-sphere. In previous work the fluctuations of the M2-branes were shown to be described by the five-dimensional Yang-Mills gauge theory associated to D4-branes. We show that the ABJM prescription for eleven-dimensional momentum in terms of magnetic flux lifts to an instanton flux of the effective five-dimensional Yang-Mills theory on the sphere, giving an M-theory interpretation for these instantons.Comment: 29 pages, Latex; v2: added references and a comment on the graviphoton coupling in section 5; v3: typos corrected and references adde

Noncommutative scalar field minimally coupled to gravity

A model for noncommutative scalar fields coupled to gravity based on the generalization of the Moyal product is proposed. Solutions compatible with homogeneous and isotropic flat Robertson-Walker spaces to first non-trivial order in the perturbation of the star-product are presented. It is shown that in the context of a typical chaotic inflationary scenario, at least in the slow-roll regime, noncommutativity yields no observable effect.Comment: Talk presented at the Workshop on Quantum Gravity and Noncommutative Geometry, 20-23 July 2004, Universidade Lus\'ofona, Lisbon, Portugal. To appear at Int. J. Mod. Phys.