Generalised hyperbolicity in spacetimes with string-like singularities

In this paper we present well-posedness results of the wave equation in $H^{1}$ for spacetimes that contain string-like singularities. These results extend a framework able to characterise gravitational singularities as obstruction to the dynamics of test fields rather than point particles. In particular, we discuss spacetimes with cosmic strings and the relation of our results to the Strong Cosmic Censorship Conjecture.Comment: Accepted for publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Near field and far field scattering of surface plasmon polaritons by one-dimensional surface defects

A rigorous formulation for the scattering of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) from a one-dimensional surface defect of any shape that yields the electromagnetic field in the vacuum half-space above the vacuum-metal interface is developed by the use of an impedance boundary condition. The electric and magnetic near fields, the angular distribution of the far-field radiation into vacuum due to SPP-photon coupling, and the SPP reflection and transmission coefficients are calculated by numerically solving the k-space integral equation upon which the formulation is based. In particular, we consider Gaussian-shaped defects and study the dependence of the above mentioned physical quantities on their 1/e half-width a and height h. SPP reflection is significant for narrow defects; maximum reflection (plasmon mirrors) is achieved for a~lambda/10. For increasing defect widths, protuberances and indentations behave differently. The former give rise to a monotonic increase of radiation at the expense of SPP transmission for increasing defect half-width. Indentations exhibit a significant increase of radiation (decrease of SPP transmission) for half-widths of the order of or smaller than the wavelength, but tend to total SPP transmission in an oscillatory manner upon further increasing the half-width. Light-emitters might thus be associated with either wide indentations, or protuberances with widths that are of the order of or smaller than the wavelength.Comment: REVTeX 3.1, 10 pages with 9 EPS figures (epsf macro

Hypernuclear Physics at PANDA

Hypernuclear research will be one of the main topics addressed by the PANDA experiment at the planned Facility for Anti-proton and Ion Research FAIR at Darmstadt, Germany. A copious production of Xi-hyperons at a dedicated internal target in the stored anti-proton beam is expected, which will enable the high-precision gamma-spectroscopy of double strange systems for the first time. In addition to the general purpose PANDA setup, the hypernuclear experiments require an active secondary target of silicon layers and absorber material as well as high purity germanium (HPGe) crystals as gamma-detectors. The design of the setup and the development of these detectors is progressing: a first HPGe crystal with a new electromechanical cooling system was prepared and the properties of a silicon strip detector as a prototype to be used in the secondary target were studied. Simultaneously to the hardware projects, detailed Monte Carlo simulations were performed to predict the yield of particle stable hypernuclei. With the help of the Monte Carlo a procedure for Lambda-Lambda-hypernuclei identification by the detection and correlation of the weak decay pions was developed.Comment: prepared for the International Conference on Exotic Atoms and Related Topics (EXA2011), Vienna, Sept. 5-9, 201

Optimal domain of qq-concave operators and vector measure representation of qq-concave Banach lattices

Given a Banach space valued $q$-concave linear operator $T$ defined on a $\sigma$-order continuous quasi-Banach function space, we provide a description of the optimal domain of $T$ preserving $q$-concavity, that is, the largest $\sigma$-order continuous quasi-Banach function space to which $T$ can be extended as a $q$-concave operator. We show in this way the existence of maximal extensions for $q$-concave operators. As an application, we show a representation theorem for $q$-concave Banach lattices through spaces of integrable functions with respect to a vector measure. This result culminates a series of representation theorems for Banach lattices using vector measures that have been obtained in the last twenty years

On the connections between Skyrme and Yang Mills theories

Skyrme theories on S^3 and S^2, are analyzed using the generalized zero curvature in any dimensions. In the first case, new symmetries and integrable sectors, including the B =1 skyrmions, are unraveled. In S^2 the relation to QCD suggested by Faddeev is discussedComment: Talk at the Workshop on integrable theories, solitons and duality. IFT Sao Paulo July 200

SU(3)c⊗SU(3)L⊗U(1)XSU(3)_c\otimes SU(3)_L\otimes U(1)_X as an E6E_6 Subgroup

An extension of the Standard Model to the local gauge group $SU(3)_c\otimes SU(3)_L\otimes U(1)_X$ which is a subgroup of the electroweak-strong unification group $E_6$ is analyzed. The mass scales, the gauge boson masses, and the masses for the spin 1/2 particles in the model are calculated. The mass differences between the up and down quark sectors, between the quarks and leptons, and between the charged and neutral leptons in one family are explained as a consequence of mixing of ordinary with exotic fermions implied by the model. By using experimental results we constrain the mixing angle between the two neutral currents and the mass of the additional neutral gauge boson to be $-0.0015 \leq \sin\theta \leq 0.0048$ and $600 GeV \leq M_{Z_2}$ at 95% CL. The existence of a Dirac neutrino for each family with a mass of the order of the electroweak mass scale is predicted.Comment: substantial changes in section 6 because of the inclusion of more experimental data; several formulas corrected; references adde