N-flation: Non-Gaussianity in the horizon-crossing approximation

We analyze the cosmic non-gaussianity produced in inflation models with multiple uncoupled fields with monomial potentials, such as Nflation. Using the horizon-crossing approximation to compute the non-gaussianity, we show that when each field has the same form of potential, the prediction is independent the number of fields, their initial conditions, and the spectrum of masses/couplings. It depends only on the number of e-foldings after the horizon crossing of observable perturbations. We also provide a further generalization to the case where the fields can have monomial potentials with different powers. Unless the horizon-crossing approximation is substantially violated, the predicted non-gaussianity is too small to ever be observed

Nflation: observable predictions from the random matrix mass spectrum

We carry out numerical investigations of the perturbations in Nflation models where the mass spectrum is generated by random matrix theory. The tensor-to-scalar ratio and non-gaussianity are already known to take the single-field values, and so the density perturbation spectral index is the main parameter of interest. We study several types of random field initial conditions, and compute the spectral index as a function of mass spectrum parameters. Comparison with microwave anisotropy data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe shows that the model is currently viable in the majority of its parameter space.Comment: 5 pages RevTeX with 4 figures. Minor corrections to match version to appear in Physical Review

Isospin Mixing and Model Dependence

We show that recent calculations of \Delta I=3/2 effects in nonleptonic hyperon decay induced by m_d-m_u\neq 0 are subject to significant model dependence.Comment: 8 page standard Latex fil

Dynamics of assisted quintessence

We explore the dynamics of assisted quintessence, where more than one scalar field is present with the same potential. For potentials with tracking solutions, the fields naturally approach the same values—in the context of inflation this leads to the assisted inflation phenomenon where several fields can cooperate to drive a period of inflation though none is able to individually. For exponential potentials, we study the fixed points and their stability confirming results already in the literature, and then carry out a numerical analysis to show how assisted quintessence is realized. For inverse power-law potentials, we find by contrast that there is no assisted behavior—indeed those are the unique (monotonic) potentials where several fields together behave just as a single field in the same potential. More generally, we provide an algorithm for generating a single-field potential giving equivalent dynamics to multifield assisted quintessence

Holographic entanglement entropy of a 1+11+1 dimensional pp-wave superconductor

We examine the behavior of entanglement entropy of a subsystem $A$ in a fully backreacted holographic model of a $1+1$ dimensional $p$ wave superconductor across the phase transition. For a given temperature, the system goes to a superconducting phase beyond a critical value of the charge density. The entanglement entropy, considered as a function of the charge density at a given temperature, has a cusp at the critical point. In addition, we find that there are three different behaviors in the condensed phase, depending on the subsystem size. For a subsystem size $l$ smaller than a critical size $l_{c1}$, entanglement entropy continues to increase as a function of the charge density as we cross the phase transition. When $l$ lies between $l_{c1}$ and another critical size $l_{c2}$ the entanglement entropy displays a non-monotonic behavior, while for $l > l_{c2}$ it decreases monotonically. At large charge densities entanglement entropy appears to saturate. The non-monotonic behavior leads to a novel phase diagram for this system.Comment: 16 pages, 17 figures, v2: references added, section 3.1 added, JHEP styl

Mass Spectrum Dependence of Higgs-mediated mu-e Transition in the MSSM

In this paper, we study non-decoupling $\mu$ - $e$ transition effects by Higgs-mediated contribution in the MSSM, when some SUSY mass parameters are much greater than TeV. In order to treat CP-odd Higgs mass $m_{A^{0}}$ as a free parameter, we consider the non-universal Higgs mass model (NUHM), and assume the only left- or right-handed sleptons had flavor-mixing mass terms. If both Higgs-mediated and ordinary SUSY contribution are significant, the ratio of branching ratios \BR(\meg) / \BR(\maleal) becomes sensitive to SUSY mass parameters. We investigated these mass-sensitive regions and the behavior of the ratio \BR(\meg) / \BR(\maleal) in some mass spectrum of the NUHM, and found that this ratio drastically depends on the mass spectrum structure and chirality of flavor violation. Log factor from two split mass scale influences the way of interference between gaugino- and Higgs-mediated contributions significantly.Comment: 19 pages, 8 figures, it will appear in PR

Nflation: multi-field inflationary dynamics and perturbations

We carry out numerical investigations of the dynamics and perturbations in the Nflation model of Dimopoulos et al. (2005). This model features large numbers of scalar fields with different masses, which can cooperate to drive inflation according to the assisted inflation mechanism. We extend previous work to include random initial conditions for the scalar fields, and explore the predictions for density perturbations and the tensor-to-scalar ratio. The tensor-to-scalar ratio depends only on the number of e-foldings and is independent of the number of fields, their masses, and their initial conditions. It therefore always has the same value as for a single massive field. By contrast, the scalar spectral index has significant dependence on model parameters. While normally multi-field inflation models make predictions for observable quantities which depend also on the unknown field initial conditions, we find evidence of a `thermodynamic' regime whereby the predicted spectral index becomes independent of initial conditions if there are enough fields. Only in parts of parameter space where the mass spectrum of the fields is extremely densely packed is the model capable of satisfying the tight observational constraints from WMAP3 observations.Comment: 6 pages RevTeX4, 4 figures included. Updated to match PRD accepted version. Analysis and conclusions unchanged. New references, especially astro-ph/0510441 which was first to give the general r=8/N resul

CP violating dimuon charge asymmetry in general left-right models

The recently measured charge asymmetry of like-sign dimuon events by the D0 collaboration at Tevatron shows the 3.9 \sigma\ deviation from the standard model prediction. In order to solve this mismatch, we investigate the right-handed current contributions to $B_s-\bar{B}_s$ and $B_d-\bar{B}_d$ mixings which are the major source of the like-sign dimuon events in $b \bar{b}$ production in general left-right models without imposing manifest or pseudo-manifest left-right symmetry. We find the allowed region of new physics parameters satisfying the current experimental data.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

Chromosomal diversification and karyotype evolution of diploids in the cytologically diverse genus Prospero (Hyacinthaceae)

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