Yang-Mills theory for semidirect products G⋉g∗{\rm G}\ltimes\mathfrak{g}^* and its instantons

Yang-Mills theory with a symmetry algebra that is the semidirect product $\mathfrak{h}\ltimes\mathfrak{h}^*$ defined by the coadjoint action of a Lie algebra $\mathfrak{h}$ on its dual $\mathfrak{h}^*$ is studied. The gauge group is the semidirect product ${\rm G}_{\mathfrak{h}}\ltimes{\mathfrak{h}^*}$, a noncompact group given by the coadjoint action on $\mathfrak{h}^*$ of the Lie group ${\rm G}_{\mathfrak{h}}$ of $\mathfrak{h}$. For $\mathfrak{h}$ simple, a method to construct the self-antiself dual instantons of the theory and their gauge non\-equivalent deformations is presented. Every ${\rm G}_{\mathfrak{h}}\ltimes{\mathfrak{h}^*}$ instanton has an embedded ${\rm G}_{\mathfrak{h}}$ instanton with the same instanton charge, in terms of which the construction is realized. As an example,$\mathfrak{h}=\mathfrak{s}\mathfrak{u}(2)$ and instanton charge one is considered. The gauge group is in this case $SU(2)\ltimes{\bf R}^3$. Explicit expressions for the selfdual connection, the zero modes and the metric and complex structures of the moduli space are given.Comment: 21 pages; no figures; typos correcte

Seiberg--Witten maps for SO(1,3)\boldsymbol{SO(1,3)} gauge invariance and deformations of gravity

A family of diffeomorphism-invariant Seiberg--Witten deformations of gravity is constructed. In a first step Seiberg--Witten maps for an SO(1,3) gauge symmetry are obtained for constant deformation parameters. This includes maps for the vierbein, the spin connection and the Einstein--Hilbert Lagrangian. In a second step the vierbein postulate is imposed in normal coordinates and the deformation parameters are identified with the components $\theta^{\mu\nu}(x)$ of a covariantly constant bivector. This procedure gives for the classical action a power series in the bivector components which by construction is diffeomorphism-invariant. Explicit contributions up to second order are obtained. For completeness a cosmological constant term is included in the analysis. Covariant constancy of $\theta^{\mu\nu}(x)$, together with the field equations, imply that, up to second order, only four-dimensional metrics which are direct sums of two two-dimensional metrics are admissible, the two-dimensional curvatures being expressed in terms of $\theta^{\mu\nu}$. These four-dimensional metrics can be viewed as a family of deformed emergent gravities.Comment: 1 encapsulated figur

Quantization of the open string on plane-wave limits of dS_n x S^n and non-commutativity outside branes

The open string on the plane-wave limit of $dS_n\times S^n$ with constant $B_2$ and dilaton background fields is canonically quantized. This entails solving the classical equations of motion for the string, computing the symplectic form, and defining from its inverse the canonical commutation relations. Canonical quantization is proved to be perfectly suited for this task, since the symplectic form is unambiguously defined and non-singular. The string position and the string momentum operators are shown to satisfy equal-time canonical commutation relations. Noticeably the string position operators define non-commutative spaces for all values of the string world-sheet parameter \sig, thus extending non-commutativity outside the branes on which the string endpoints may be assumed to move. The Minkowski spacetime limit is smooth and reproduces the results in the literature, in particular non-commutativity gets confined to the endpoints.Comment: 31 pages, 12p

Higher covariant derivative regulators and non-multiplicative renormalization

The renormalization algorithm based on regularization methods with two regulators is analyzed by means of explicit computations. We show in particular that regularization by higher covariant derivative terms can be complemented with dimensional regularization to obtain a consistent renormalized 4-dimensional Yang-Mills theory at the one-loop level. This shows that hybrid regularization methods can be applied not only to finite theories, like \eg\ Chern-Simons, but also to divergent theories.Comment: 12 pages, phyzzx, no figure

BRS symmetry versus supersymmetry in Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory

We prove that three-dimensional $N=1$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory is finite to all loop orders. In general this leaves open the possibility that different regularization methods lead to different finite effective actions. We show that in this model dimensional regularization and regularization by dimensional reduction yield the same effective action. Consequently, the superfield approach preserves BRS invariance for this model.Comment: 27 pages, 2 figures, latex2e, uses epsfi

Higher covariant derivative Pauli-Villars regularization does not lead to a consistent QCD

We compute the beta function at one loop for Yang-Mills theory using as regulator the combination of higher covariant derivatives and Pauli-Villars determinants proposed by Faddeev and Slavnov. This regularization prescription has the appealing feature that it is manifestly gauge invariant and essentially four-dimensional. It happens however that the one-loop coefficient in the beta function that it yields is not $-11/3,$ as it should be, but $-23/6.$ The difference is due to unphysical logarithmic radiative corrections generated by the Pauli-Villars determinants on which the regularization method is based. This no-go result discards the prescription as a viable gauge invariant regularization, thus solving a long-standing open question in the literature. We also observe that the prescription can be modified so as to not generate unphysical logarithmic corrections, but at the expense of losing manifest gauge invariance.Comment: 43 pages, Latex file (uses the macro axodraw.sty, instructions of how to get it and use it included), FTUAM 94/9, NIKHEF-H 94/2

Regularization and Renormalization of Chern-Simons Theory

We analyze some features of the perturbative quantization of Chern-Simons theory (CST) in the Landau gauge. In this gauge the theory is known to be perturbatively finite. We consider the renormalization scheme in which the renormalized parameter $k$ equals the bare or classical one and show that it constitutes a natural parametrization for the quantum theory. The reason is that, although in this renormalization scheme the value of the Green functions depends on the regularization used, comparison among different regularization methods shows that the observables (Wilson loops) are the same function of the shifted monodromy parameter $k+c_v$ for all BRS invariant regulators used so far for CST. We also discuss a particular BRS invariant regularization prescription in which CST is perturbatively defined as the large mass limit of dimensionally regularized topologically massive Yang-Mills theory. With this regularization prescription the radiative corrections induced by two-loop contributions do not entail observable consequences since they can be reabsorbed by a finite rescaling of the fields only. This very mechanism is conjectured to take place at higher perturbative orders. Talk presented by G.G. at the NATO AWR on ``Low dimensional Topology and Quantum Field Theory'', 6-13 September 1992, Cambridge (UK).Comment: 10 pages, Phyzzx, LPTHE 92-4

Nanotechnologies and health: juridical and philosophical implications

Although their applications have not yet extended widely due to their incipient state, nano-technologies and nano-medicines may be presumed to be at the origin of the next great technological revolution, foreseeably contributing to a new stage with respect to evolutions in mankind’s progress. Their possibilities are truly immense in enormously varied spheres, but the risks and uncertainties they engender are enormous too. Because access and use of the unceasingly increasing mega-quantity of information they generate will place further strain on the protection of personal life, privacy, the exercise of freedom, as well as the safeguarding of other fundamental principles and rights

Noncommutative Einstein-Maxwell pp-waves

The field equations coupling a Seiberg-Witten electromagnetic field to noncommutative gravity, as described by a formal power series in the noncommutativity parameters $\theta^{\alpha\beta}$, is investigated. A large family of solutions, up to order one in $\theta^{\alpha\beta}$, describing Einstein-Maxwell null pp-waves is obtained. The order-one contributions can be viewed as providing noncommutative corrections to pp-waves. In our solutions, noncommutativity enters the spacetime metric through a conformal factor and is responsible for dilating/contracting the separation between points in the same null surface. The noncommutative corrections to the electromagnetic waves, while preserving the wave null character, include constant polarization, higher harmonic generation and inhomogeneous susceptibility. As compared to pure noncommutative gravity, the novelty is that nonzero corrections to the metric already occur at order one in $\theta^{\alpha\beta}$.Comment: 19 revtex pages. One refrence suppressed, two references added. Minor wording changes in the abstract, introduction and conclusio

Mapping the circumstellar SiO maser emission in R Leo

The study of the innermost circumstellar layers around AGB stars is crucial to understand how these envelopes are formed and evolve. The SiO maser emission occurs at a few stellar radii from the central star, providing direct information on the stellar pulsation and on the chemical and physical properties of these regions. Our data also shed light on several aspects of the SiO maser pumping theory that are not well understood yet. We aim to determine} the relative spatial distribution of the 43 GHz and 86 GHz SiO maser lines in the oxygen-rich evolved star R Leo. We have imaged with milliarcsecond resolution, by means of Very Long Baseline Interferometry, the 43 GHz (28SiO v=1, 2 J=1-0 and 29SiO v=0 J=1-0) and 86 GHz (28SiO v=1 J=2-1 and 29SiO v=0 J=2-1) masing regions. We confirm previous results obtained in other oxygen-rich envelopes. In particular, when comparing the 43 GHz emitting regions, the 28SiO v=2 transition is produced in an inner layer, closer to the central star. On the other hand, the 86 GHz line arises in a clearly farther shell. We have also mapped for the first time the 29SiO v=0 J=1-0 emission in R Leo. The already reported discrepancy between the observed distributions of the different maser lines and the theoretical predictions is also found in R Leo.Comment: accepted for publication in A&