Topologically massive gravito-electrodynamics: exact solutions

We construct two classes of exact solutions to the field equations of topologically massive electrodynamics coupled to topologically massive gravity in 2 + 1 dimensions. The self-dual stationary solutions of the first class are horizonless, asymptotic to the extreme BTZ black-hole metric, and regular for a suitable parameter domain. The diagonal solutions of the second class, which exist if the two Chern-Simons coupling constants exactly balance, include anisotropic cosmologies and static solutions with a pointlike horizon.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX, no figure

Black hole mass and angular momentum in 2+1 gravity

We propose a new definition for the mass and angular momentum of neutral or electrically charged black holes in 2+1 gravity with two Killing vectors. These finite conserved quantities, associated with the SL(2,R) invariance of the reduced mechanical system, are shown to be identical to the quasilocal conserved quantities for an improved gravitational action corresponding to mixed boundary conditions. They obey a general Smarr-like formula and, in all cases investigated, are consistent with the first law of black hole thermodynamics. Our framework is applied to the computation of the mass and angular momentum of black hole solutions to several field-theoretical models.Comment: 23 pages, 3 references added, to be published in Physical Review

Gravitating Chern-Simons vortices

The construction of self-dual vortex solutions to the Chern-Simons-Higgs model (with a suitable eighth-order potential) coupled to Einstein gravity in (2 + 1) dimensions is reconsidered. We show that the self-duality condition may be derived from the sole assumption $g_{00} = 1$. Next, we derive a family of exact, doubly self-dual vortex solutions, which interpolate between the symmetrical and asymmetrical vacua. The corresponding spacetimes have two regions at spatial infinity. The eighth-order Higgs potential is positive definite, and closed timelike curves are absent, if the gravitational constant is chosen to be negative.Comment: 11 pages, LaTe

Non-asymptotically flat, non-AdS dilaton black holes

We show that previously known non-asymptotically flat static black hole solutions of Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton theory may be obtained as near-horizon limits of asymptotically flat black holes. Specializing to the case of the dilaton coupling constant $\alpha^2 = 3$, we generate from the non-asymptotically flat magnetostatic or electrostatic black holes two classes of rotating dyonic black hole solutions. The rotating dyonic black holes of the ``magnetic'' class are dimensional reductions of the five-dimensional Myers-Perry black holes relative to one of the azimuthal angles, while those of the ``electric'' class are twisted dimensional reductions of rotating dyonic Rasheed black strings. We compute the quasi-local mass and angular momentum of our rotating dyonic black holes, and show that they satisfy the first law of black hole thermodynamics, as well as a generalized Smarr formula. We also discuss the construction of non-asymptotically flat multi-extreme black hole configurations.Comment: Minor corrections. 2 references added. To appear in Physical Review

The cosmological gravitating σ\sigma model: solitons and black holes

We derive and analyze exact static solutions to the gravitating O(3) $\sigma$ model with cosmological constant in (2+1) dimensions. Both signs of the gravitational and cosmological constants are considered. Our solutions include geodesically complete spacetimes, and two classes of black holes.Comment: 10 pages, late

Kaluza-Klein and Gauss-Bonnet cosmic strings

We make a systematic investigation of stationary cylindrically symmetric solutions to the five-dimensional Einstein and Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet equations. Apart from the five-dimensional neutral cosmic string metric, we find two new exact solutions which qualify as cosmic strings, one corresponding to an electrically charged cosmic string, the other to an extended superconducting cosmic string surrounding a charged core. In both cases, test particles are deflected away from the singular line source. We extend both kinds of solutions to exact multi-cosmic string solutions.Comment: 26 pages, LaTex, no figure

From the stress response function (back) to the sandpile `dip'

We relate the pressure `dip' observed at the bottom of a sandpile prepared by successive avalanches to the stress profile obtained on sheared granular layers in response to a localized vertical overload. We show that, within a simple anisotropic elastic analysis, the skewness and the tilt of the response profile caused by shearing provide a qualitative agreement with the sandpile dip effect. We conclude that the texture anisotropy produced by the avalanches is in essence similar to that induced by a simple shearing -- albeit tilted by the angle of repose of the pile. This work also shows that this response function technique could be very well adapted to probe the texture of static granular packing.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, accepted version to appear in Eur. Phys. J.

The black holes of topologically massive gravity

We show that an analytical continuation of the Vuorio solution to three-dimensional topologically massive gravity leads to a two-parameter family of black hole solutions, which are geodesically complete and causally regular within a certain parameter range. No observers can remain static in these spacetimes. We discuss their global structure, and evaluate their mass, angular momentum, and entropy, which satisfy a slightly modified form of the first law of thermodynamics.Comment: 10 pages; Eq. (15) corrected, references added, version to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Erosion waves: transverse instabilities and fingering

Two laboratory scale experiments of dry and under-water avalanches of non-cohesive granular materials are investigated. We trigger solitary waves and study the conditions under which the front is transversally stable. We show the existence of a linear instability followed by a coarsening dynamics and finally the onset of a fingering pattern. Due to the different operating conditions, both experiments strongly differ by the spatial and time scales involved. Nevertheless, the quantitative agreement between the stability diagram, the wavelengths selected and the avalanche morphology reveals a common scenario for an erosion/deposition process.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, submitted to PR

Self-Dual Chern-Simons Solitons in (2+1)-Dimensional Einstein Gravity

We consider here a generalization of the Abelian Higgs model in curved space, by adding a Chern--Simons term. The static equations are self-dual provided we choose a suitable potential. The solutions give a self-dual Maxwell--Chern--Simons soliton that possesses a mass and a spin