528 research outputs found
Domain wall solutions with Abelian gauge fields
We study kink (domain wall) solutions in a model consisting of two complex
scalar fields coupled to two independent Abelian gauge fields in a Lagrangian
that has gauge plus discrete symmetry. We find
consistent solutions such that while the U(1) symmetries of the fields are
preserved while in their respective vacua, they are broken on the domain wall.
The gauge field solutions show that the domain wall is sandwiched between
domains with constant magnetic fields.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, JHEP for style, but to appear in PLB. Added
discussion about the boundary conditions and the physical picture based on
superconductivity. Reference adde
Clash of symmetries on the brane
If our 3+1-dimensional universe is a brane or domain wall embedded in a
higher dimensional space, then a phenomenon we term the ``clash of symmetries''
provides a new method of breaking some continuous symmetries. A global
symmetry is spontaneously broken
to , where the continuous subgroup
can be embedded in several different ways in the parent group
, and . A certain
class of topological domain wall solutions connect two vacua that are invariant
under {\it differently embedded} subgroups. There is then
enhanced symmetry breakdown to the intersection of these two subgroups on the
domain wall. This is the ``clash''. In the brane limit, we obtain a
configuration with symmetries in the bulk but the smaller
intersection symmetry on the brane itself. We illustrate this idea using a
permutation symmetric three-Higgs-triplet toy model exploiting the distinct
, and spin U(2) subgroups of U(3). The three disconnected portions
of the vacuum manifold can be treated symmetrically through the construction of
a three-fold planar domain wall junction configuration, with our universe at
the nexus. A possible connection with is discussed.Comment: 30 pages, 9 embedded figure
The clash of symmetries in a Randall-Sundrum-like spacetime
We present a toy model that exhibits clash-of-symmetries style Higgs field
kink configurations in a Randall-Sundrum-like spacetime. The model has two
complex scalar fields Phi_{1,2}, with a sextic potential obeying global
U(1)xU(1) and discrete Phi_1 Phi_2 interchange symmetries. The scalar
fields are coupled to 4+1 dimensional gravity endowed with a bulk cosmological
constant. We show that the coupled Einstein-Higgs field equations have an
interesting analytic solution provided the sextic potential adopts a particular
form. The 4+1 metric is shown to be that of a smoothed-out Randall-Sundrum type
of spacetime. The thin-brane Randall-Sundrum limit, whereby the Higgs field
kinks become step functions, is carefully defined in terms of the fundamental
parameters in the action. The ``clash of symmetries'' feature, defined in
previous papers, is manifested here through the fact that both of the U(1)
symmetries are spontaneously broken at all non-asymptotic points in the extra
dimension . One of the U(1)'s is asymptotically restored as w --> -infinity,
with the other U(1) restored as w --> +infinity. The spontaneously broken
discrete symmetry ensures topological stability. In the gauged version of this
model we find new flat-space solutions, but in the warped metric case we have
been unable to find any solutions with nonzero gauge fields.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures; minor changes including added references and an
updated figure; to appear in Phys Rev
SU(5) grand unification on a domain-wall brane from an E_6-invariant action
An SU(5) grand unification scheme for effective 3+1-dimensional fields
dynamically localised on a domain-wall brane is constructed. This is achieved
through the confluence of the clash-of-symmetries mechanism for symmetry
breaking through domain-wall formation, and the Dvali-Shifman gauge-boson
localisation idea. It requires an E_6 gauge-invariant action, yielding a
domain-wall solution that has E_6 broken to differently embedded SO(10) x U(1)
subgroups in the two bulk regions on opposite sides of the wall. On the wall
itself, the unbroken symmetry is the intersection of the two bulk subgroups,
and contains SU(5). A 4+1-dimensional fermion family in the 27 of E_6 gives
rise to localised left-handed zero-modes in the 5^* + 10 + 1 + 1 representation
of SU(5). The remaining ten fermion components of the 27 are delocalised exotic
states, not appearing in the effective 3+1-dimensional theory on the
domain-wall brane. The scheme is compatible with the type-2 Randall-Sundrum
mechanism for graviton localisation; the single extra dimension is infinite.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures. Minor changes to text and references. To appear
in Phys. Rev.
Non-Abelian Monopole and Dyon Solutions in a Modified Einstein-Yang-Mills-Higgs System
We have studied a modified Yang-Mills-Higgs system coupled to Einstein
gravity. The modification of the Einstein-Hilbert action involves a direct
coupling of the Higgs field to the scalar curvature. In this modified system we
are able to write a Bogomol'nyi type condition in curved space and demonstrate
that the positive static energy functional is bounded from below. We then
investigate non-Abelian sperically symmetric static solutions in a similar
fashion to the `t Hooft-Polyakov monopole. After reviewing previously studied
monopole solutions of this type, we extend the formalism to included electric
charge and we present dyon solutions.Comment: 18 pages LaTeX, 7 eps-figure
Heating up the cold bounce
Self-dual string cosmological models provide an effective example of bouncing
solutions where a phase of accelerated contraction smoothly evolves into an
epoch of decelerated Friedmann--Robertson--Walker expansion dominated by the
dilaton. While the transition to the expanding regime occurs at sub-Planckian
curvature scales, the Universe emerging after the bounce is cold, with sharply
growing gauge coupling. However, since massless gauge bosons (as well as other
massless fields) are super-adiabatically amplified, the energy density of the
maximally amplified modes re-entering the horizon after the bounce can
efficiently heat the Universe. As a consequence the gauge coupling reaches a
constant value, which can still be perturbative.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figure
Recommended from our members
The relationship between stimulus intensity and response amplitude for the photopic negative response of the flash electroretinogram
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between stimulus intensity and response amplitude for the photopic negative response (PhNR) of the flash ERG. Specific aims were (i) to determine whether a generalized Naka-Rushton function provided a good fit to the intensity-response data and (ii) to determine the variability of the parameters of the best-fitting Naka-Rushton models. Electroretinograms were recorded in 18 participants, on two occasions, using both DTL fibre and skin active electrodes, in response to Ganzfeld red stimuli (Lee filter "terry red") ranging in stimulus strength from -1.30 to 0.53 log cd.s.m(-2) (0.28-2.11 log phot td.s) presented over a steady blue background (Schott glass filter BG28; 3.9 log scot td). PhNR amplitude was measured from b-wave peak and from pre-stimulus baseline. The Naka-Rushton function was fitted to all intensity-response data, and parameters, 'n', 'Vmax' and 'K' were obtained. Coefficients of variation (CoV), and inter-ocular and inter-session limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated for both Naka-Rushton parameters. A generalized Naka-Rushton function was found to provide a good fit to the intensity-response data, except at the highest stimulus intensity, where a reduction in amplitude occurred in many individuals. The 'Vmax' parameter was less variable than 'K' for all intensity-response data. Variability was lower for DTL than skin electrodes, and for peak-to-trough PhNR measurements, compared to baseline-to-trough. This study has demonstrated for the first time that the Naka-Rushton model provides a useful means of quantifying the intensity-response relationship of the PhNR
Lack of Effect of Sleep Apnea on Oxidative Stress in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) Patients
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate markers of systemic oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in subjects with and without OSAS in order to investigate the most important factors that determine the oxidant-antioxidant status. METHODS: A total of 66 subjects referred to our Sleep laboratory were examined by full polysomnography. Oxidative stress and antioxidant activity were assessed by measurement of the derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant capacity (BAP) in blood samples taken in the morning after the sleep study. Known risk factors for oxidative stress, such as age, sex, obesity, smoking, hypelipidemia, and hypertension, were investigated as possible confounding factors. RESULTS: 42 patients with OSAS (Apnea-Hypopnea index >15 events/hour) were compared with 24 controls (AHI<5). The levels of d-ROMS were significantly higher (p = 0.005) in the control group but the levels of antioxidant capacity were significantly lower (p = 0.004) in OSAS patients. The most important factors predicting the variance of oxidative stress were obesity, smoking habit, and sex. Parameters of sleep apnea severity were not associated with oxidative stress. Minimal oxygen desaturation and smoking habit were the most important predicting factors of BAP levels. CONCLUSION: Obesity, smoking, and sex are the most important determinants of oxidative stress in OSAS subjects. Sleep apnea might enhance oxidative stress by the reduction of antioxidant capacity of blood due to nocturnal hypoxia
- …