Electrodynamics Modified by Some Dimension-five Lorentz Violating Interactions: Radiative Corrections

We study radiative corrections to massless quantum electrodynamics modified by two dimension-five LV interactions $\bar{\Psi} \gamma^{\mu} b'^{\nu} F_{\mu\nu}\Psi$ and $\bar{\Psi}\gamma^{\mu}b^{\nu} \tilde{F}_{\mu\nu} \Psi$ in the framework of effective field theories. All divergent one-particle-irreducible Feynman diagrams are calculated at one-loop order and several related issues are discussed. It is found that massless quantum electrodynamics modified by the interaction $\bar{\Psi} \gamma^{\mu} b'^{\nu} F_{\mu\nu}\Psi$ alone is one-loop renormalizable and the result can be understood on the grounds of symmetry. In this context the one-loop Lorentz-violating beta function is derived and the corresponding running coefficients are obtained.Comment: 13 pages, 1 figure. Version to appear in EPJ

Ergodicity and Mixing in Quantum Dynamics

After a brief historical review of ergodicity and mixing in dynamics, particularly in quantum dynamics, we introduce definitions of quantum ergodicity and mixing using the structure of the system's energy levels and spacings. Our definitions are consistent with usual understanding of ergodicity and mixing. Two parameters concerning the degeneracy in energy levels and spacings are introduced. They are computed for right triangular billiards and the results indicate a very close relation between quantum ergodicity (mixing) and quantum chaos. At the end, we argue that, besides ergodicity and mixing, there may exist a third class of quantum dynamics which is characterized by a maximized entropy.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures and 1 tabl

Constraints on the Brans-Dicke gravity theory with the Planck data

Based on the new cosmic CMB temperature data from the Planck satellite, the 9 year polarization data from the WMAP, the BAO distance ratio data from the SDSS and 6dF surveys, we place a new constraint on the Brans-Dicke theory. We adopt a parametrization \zeta=\ln(1+1/\omega}), where the general relativity (GR) limit corresponds to $\zeta = 0$. We find no evidence of deviation from general relativity. At 95% probability, $-0.00246 < \zeta < 0.00567$, correspondingly, the region $-407.0 < \omega <175.87$ is excluded. If we restrict ourselves to the $\zeta>0$ (i.e. $\omega >0$) case, then the 95% probability interval is $\zeta 181.65$. We can also translate this result to a constraint on the variation of gravitational constant, and find the variation rate today as $\dot{G}=-1.42^{+2.48}_{-2.27} \times 10^{-13}$yr$^{-1}$ ($1\sigma$ error bar), the integrated change since the epoch of recombination is $\delta G/G = 0.0104^{+0.0186}_{-0.0067}$ ($1\sigma$ error bar). These limits on the variation of gravitational constant are comparable with the precision of solar system experiments.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 2 table

The Importance of Proper Renormalization Scale-Setting for Testing QCD at Colliders

A primary problem for perturbative QCD analyses is how to set the renormalization scale of the QCD running coupling in order to achieve maximally precise fixed-order predictions for physical observables. The Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC) eliminates the ambiguities associated with the conventional renormalization scale-setting procedure, giving predictions which are independent of the choice of renormalization scheme. The scales of the QCD couplings and the effective number of quark flavors are set order by order in the pQCD series. The PMC has a solid theoretical foundation, satisfying the standard renormalization group invariance and all of the the self-consistency conditions derived from the renormalization group......In this brief report, we summarize the results of our recent PMC applications for a number of collider processes, emphasizing their generality and applicability....... These results demonstrate that the application of the PMC systematically eliminates a major theoretical uncertainty for pQCD predictions, thus increasing the sensitivity of the colliders to possible new physics beyond the Standard Model.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. The title has been changed. This review, submitted to Frontiers of Physics, is based on a contribution by S.J.B. at the Conference {\it Workshop on Physics at a Future High Intensity Collider @ 2-7 GeV in China} Hefei, China January 14-16, 201