310 research outputs found
Two dimensional thermal and charge mapping of power thyristors
The two dimensional static and dynamic current density distributions within the junction of semiconductor power switching devices and in particular the thyristors were obtained. A method for mapping the thermal profile of the device junctions with fine resolution using an infrared beam and measuring the attenuation through the device as a function of temperature were developed. The results obtained are useful in the design and quality control of high power semiconductor switching devices
Strong coupling expansion of chiral models
A general precedure is outlined for an algorithmic implementation of the
strong coupling expansion of lattice chiral models on arbitrary lattices. A
symbolic character expansion in terms of connected values of group integrals on
skeleton diagrams may be obtained by a fully computerized approach.Comment: 2 pages, PostScript file, contribution to conference LATTICE '9
Ricci flow and black holes
Gradient flow in a potential energy (or Euclidean action) landscape provides
a natural set of paths connecting different saddle points. We apply this method
to General Relativity, where gradient flow is Ricci flow, and focus on the
example of 4-dimensional Euclidean gravity with boundary S^1 x S^2,
representing the canonical ensemble for gravity in a box. At high temperature
the action has three saddle points: hot flat space and a large and small black
hole. Adding a time direction, these also give static 5-dimensional
Kaluza-Klein solutions, whose potential energy equals the 4-dimensional action.
The small black hole has a Gross-Perry-Yaffe-type negative mode, and is
therefore unstable under Ricci flow. We numerically simulate the two flows
seeded by this mode, finding that they lead to the large black hole and to hot
flat space respectively, in the latter case via a topology-changing
singularity. In the context of string theory these flows are world-sheet
renormalization group trajectories. We also use them to construct a novel free
energy diagram for the canonical ensemble.Comment: 31 pages, 14 color figures. v2: Discussion of the metric on the space
of metrics corrected and expanded, references adde
Vacuum structure of CP^N sigma models at theta=pi
We show that parity symmetry is not spontaneously broken in the CP^N sigma
model for any value of N when the coefficient of the --term becomes
(mod ). The result follows from a non-perturbative analysis
of the nodal structure of the vacuum functional . The dynamical role
of sphalerons turns out to be very important for the argument. The result
introduces severe constraints on the possible critical behavior of the models
at (mod ).Comment: 8 pages, revtex, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let
Removing Singularities
Big bang/crunch curvature singularities in exact CFT string backgrounds can
be removed by turning on gauge fields. This is described within a family of
{SL(2)xSU(2)xU(1)_x}/{U(1)xU(1)} quotient CFTs. Uncharged incoming
wavefunctions from the ``whiskers'' of the extended universe can be fully
reflected if and only if a big bang/crunch curvature singularity, from which
they are scattered, exists. Extended BTZ-like singularities remain as long as
U(1)_x is compact.Comment: 21 pages, harvma
d=3 Bosonic Vector Models Coupled to Chern-Simons Gauge Theories
We study three dimensional O(N)_k and U(N)_k Chern-Simons theories coupled to
a scalar field in the fundamental representation, in the large N limit. For
infinite k this is just the singlet sector of the O(N) (U(N)) vector model,
which is conjectured to be dual to Vasiliev's higher spin gravity theory on
AdS_4. For large k and N we obtain a parity-breaking deformation of this
theory, controlled by the 't Hooft coupling lambda = 4 \pi N / k. For infinite
N we argue (and show explicitly at two-loop order) that the theories with
finite lambda are conformally invariant, and also have an exactly marginal
(\phi^2)^3 deformation.
For large but finite N and small 't Hooft coupling lambda, we show that there
is still a line of fixed points parameterized by the 't Hooft coupling lambda.
We show that, at infinite N, the interacting non-parity-invariant theory with
finite lambda has the same spectrum of primary operators as the free theory,
consisting of an infinite tower of conserved higher-spin currents and a scalar
operator with scaling dimension \Delta=1; however, the correlation functions of
these operators do depend on lambda. Our results suggest that there should
exist a family of higher spin gravity theories, parameterized by lambda, and
continuously connected to Vasiliev's theory. For finite N the higher spin
currents are not conserved.Comment: 34 pages, 29 figures. v2: added reference
Holography of AdS vacuum bubbles
We consider the fate of AdS vacua connected by tunneling events. A precise
holographic dual of thin-walled Coleman--de Luccia bounces is proposed in terms
of Fubini instantons in an unstable CFT. This proposal is backed by several
qualitative and quantitative checks, including the precise calculation of the
instanton action appearing in evaluating the decay rate. Big crunches manifest
themselves as time dependent processes which reach the boundary of field space
in a finite time. The infinite energy difference involved is identified on the
boundary and highlights the ill-defined nature of the bulk setup. We propose a
qualitative scenario in which the crunch is resolved by stabilizing the CFT, so
that all attempts at crunching always end up shielded from the boundary by the
formation of black hole horizons. In all these well defined bulk processes the
configurations have the same asymptotics and are finite energy excitations.Comment: version submitted to journal. Note added referring to previous work
on holographic instantons
Closed-String Tachyons and the Hagedorn Transition in AdS Space
We discuss some aspects of the behaviour of a string gas at the Hagedorn
temperature from a Euclidean point of view. Using AdS space as an infrared
regulator, the Hagedorn tachyon can be effectively quasi-localized and its
dynamics controled by a finite energetic balance. We propose that the off-shell
RG flow matches to an Euclidean AdS black hole geometry in a generalization of
the string/black-hole correspondence principle. The final stage of the RG flow
can be interpreted semiclassically as the growth of a cool black hole in a
hotter radiation bath. The end-point of the condensation is the large Euclidean
AdS black hole, and the part of spacetime behind the horizon has been removed.
In the flat-space limit, holography is manifest by the system creating its own
transverse screen at infinity. This leads to an argument, based on the
energetics of the system, explaining why the non-supersymmetric type 0A string
theory decays into the supersymmetric type IIB vacuum. We also suggest a notion
of `boundary entropy', the value of which decreases along the line of flow.Comment: 24 pages, Harvmac. 2 Figures. Typos corrected and reference adde
The Equivalence Principle and the Constants of Nature
We briefly review the various contexts within which one might address the
issue of ``why'' the dimensionless constants of Nature have the particular
values that they are observed to have. Both the general historical trend, in
physics, of replacing a-priori-given, absolute structures by dynamical
entities, and anthropic considerations, suggest that coupling ``constants''
have a dynamical nature. This hints at the existence of observable violations
of the Equivalence Principle at some level, and motivates the need for improved
tests of the Equivalence Principle.Comment: 12 pages; invited talk at the ISSI Workshop on the Nature of Gravity:
Confronting Theory and Experiment in Space, Bern, Switzerland, 6-10 October
2008; to appear in Space Science Review
Clinical use of amyloid-positron emission tomography neuroimaging: Practical and bioethical considerations
Until recently, estimation of β-amyloid plaque density as a key element for identifying Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology as the cause of cognitive impairment was only possible at autopsy. Now with amyloid-positron emission tomography (amyloid-PET) neuroimaging, this AD hallmark can be detected antemortem. Practitioners and patients need to better understand potential diagnostic benefits and limitations of amyloid-PET and the complex practical, ethical, and social implications surrounding this new technology. To complement the practical considerations, Eli Lilly and Company sponsored a Bioethics Advisory Board to discuss ethical issues that might arise from clinical use of amyloid-PET neuroimaging with patients being evaluated for causes of cognitive decline. To best address the multifaceted issues associated with amyloid-PET neuroimaging, we recommend this technology be used only by experienced imaging and treating physicians in appropriately selected patients and only in the context of a comprehensive clinical evaluation with adequate explanations before and after the scan
- …