Gauge Coupling Constant Unification With Planck Scale Values Of Moduli

Convergence of the standard model gauge coupling constants to a common value at around $2\times 10^{16}$ GeV is studied in the context of orbifold theories where the modular symmetry groups for $T$ and $U$ moduli are broken to subgroups of $PSL(2, Z)$. The values of the moduli required for this unification of coupling constants are studied for this case and also for the case where string unification is accompanied by unification to a gauge group larger then $SU(3)\times SU(2)\times U(1).$Comment: Tex, 15 pages, minor typos corrected and some references adde

Modular Symmetries of Threshold Corrections for Abelian Orbifolds with Discrete Wilson Lines

The modular symmetries of string loop threshold corrections for gauge coupling constants are studied in the presence of discrete Wilson lines for all examples of abelian orbifolds, where the point group is realised by the action of Coxeter elements or generalised Coxeter elements on the root lattices of the Lie groups.Comment: 36 pages, Late

Background Symmetries In Orbifolds With Discrete Wilson Lines

Target space symmetries are studied for orbifold compactified string theories containing Wilson line background fields. The symmetries determined are for those moduli which contribute to the string loop threshold corrections of the gauge coupling constants. The groups found are subgroups of the modular group $PSL(2, Z)$ and depend on the choice of discrete Wilson lines and the shape of the underlying six-dimensional lattice.Comment: 31 pages, QMW--TH--94/0

Duality Symmetries in Orbifold Models

We derive the duality symmetries relevant to moduli dependent gauge coupling constant threshold corrections, in Coxeter ${\bf Z_N}$ orbifolds. We consider those orbifolds for which the point group leaves fixed a 2-dimensional sublattice $\Lambda_2$, of the six dimensional torus lattice $\Lambda_6$, where $\Lambda_6$ cannot be decomposed as $\Lambda_2 \bigoplus{\Lambda_4}.$Comment: 13 pages, QMW--TH--93/21, SUSX--TH--93/1

Anisotropic Solutions For Orbifold Moduli From Duality Invariant Gaugino Condensates

The values of the $T$ and $U$ moduli are studied for those ${\bf Z}_N$ Coxeter orbifolds with the property that some of the twisted sectors have fixed planes for which the six-torus ${\bf T}^6$ can not be decomposed into a direct sum ${\bf T}^2\bigoplus {\bf T}^4$ with the fixed plane lying in ${\bf T}^2$. Such moduli in general transform under a subgroup of the modular group $SL(2,Z).$ The moduli are determined by minimizing the effective potential derived from a duality invariant gaugino condensate.Comment: QMW--TH--94/11, SUSX--TH--94/11, 16 page

Modular Symmetries in ZNZ_N Orbifold Compactified String Theories with Wilson lines

Target space modular symmetries relevant to string loop threshold corrections are studied for $Z_N$ orbifold compactified string theories containing Wilson line background fields.Comment: SUSX--TH--93/17, QMW--TH--93/31, 12 page

Modular Symmetries, Threshold Corrections And Moduli For Z2×Z2Z_2 \times Z_2 Orbifolds

${\bf Z}_2\times {\bf Z}_2$ Coxeter orbifolds are constructed with the property that some twisted sectors have fixed planes for which the six-torus can not be decomposed into a direct sum ${\bf T}^2\bigoplus{\bf T}^4$ with the fixed plane lying in ${\bf T}^2$. The string loop threshold corrections to the gauge coupling constants are derived, and display symmetry groups for the $T$ and $U$ moduli that are subgroups of the full modular group $PSL(2,Z)$. The effective potential for duality invariant gaugino condensate in the presence of hidden sector matter is constructed and minimized for the values of the moduli. The effect of Wilson lines on the modular symmetries is also studied.Comment: QMW--TH--94/18, 12 page

Inclination-Independent Galaxy Classification

We present a new method to classify galaxies from large surveys like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey using inclination-corrected concentration, inclination-corrected location on the color-magnitude diagram, and apparent axis ratio. Explicitly accounting for inclination tightens the distribution of each of these parameters and enables simple boundaries to be drawn that delineate three different galaxy populations: Early-type galaxies, which are red, highly concentrated, and round; Late-type galaxies, which are blue, have low concentrations, and are disk dominated; and Intermediate-type galaxies, which are red, have intermediate concentrations, and have disks. We have validated our method by comparing to visual classifications of high-quality imaging data from the Millennium Galaxy Catalogue. The inclination correction is crucial to unveiling the previously unrecognized Intermediate class. Intermediate-type galaxies, roughly corresponding to lenticulars and early spirals, lie on the red sequence. The red sequence is therefore composed of two distinct morphological types, suggesting that there are two distinct mechanisms for transiting to the red sequence. We propose that Intermediate-type galaxies are those that have lost their cold gas via strangulation, while Early-type galaxies are those that have experienced a major merger that either consumed their cold gas, or whose merger progenitors were already devoid of cold gas (the ``dry merger'' scenario).Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 7 pages in emulateap

The impact of baryons on the direct detection of dark matter

The spatial and velocity distributions of dark matter particles in the Milky Way Halo affect the signals expected to be observed in searches for dark matter. Results from direct detection experiments are often analyzed assuming a simple isothermal distribution of dark matter, the Standard Halo Model (SHM). Yet there has been skepticism regarding the validity of this simple model due to the complicated gravitational collapse and merger history of actual galaxies. In this paper we compare the SHM to the results of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy formation to investigate whether or not the SHM is a good representation of the true WIMP distribution in the analysis of direct detection data. We examine two Milky Way-like galaxies from the MaGICC cosmological simulations (a) with dark matter only and (b) with baryonic physics included. The inclusion of baryons drives the shape of the DM halo to become more spherical and makes the velocity distribution of dark matter particles less anisotropic especially at large heliocentric velocities, thereby making the SHM a better fit. We also note that we do not find a significant disk-like rotating dark matter component in either of the two galaxy halos with baryons that we examine, suggesting that dark disks are not a generic prediction of cosmological hydrodynamical simulations. We conclude that in the Solar neighborhood, the SHM is in fact a good approximation to the true dark matter distribution in these cosmological simulations (with baryons) which are reasonable representations of the Milky Way, and hence can also be used for the purpose of dark matter direct detection calculations.Comment: Minor changes to match JCAP version. 21 pages, 9 figure

Superconductors with two critical temperatures

We propose a simple model for superconductors endowed with two critical temperatures, corresponding to two second-order phase transitions, in the framework of the Ginzburg-Landau mean-field theory. For very large Cooper pair self-interaction, in addition to the standard condensation occurring in the Ginzburg-Landau theory, we find another phase transition at a lower temperature with a maximum difference of 15% between the two critical temperatures.Comment: revtex, 3 pages, one eps figur