17,420 research outputs found
Edge Currents and Vertex Operators for Chern-Simons Gravity
We apply elementary canonical methods for the quantization of 2+1 dimensional
gravity, where the dynamics is given by E. Witten's Chern-Simons
action. As in a previous work, our approach does not involve choice of gauge or
clever manipulations of functional integrals. Instead, we just require the
Gauss law constraint for gravity to be first class and also to be everywhere
differentiable. When the spatial slice is a disc, the gravitational fields can
either be unconstrained or constrained at the boundary of the disc. The
unconstrained fields correspond to edge currents which carry a representation
of the Kac-Moody algebra. Unitary representations for such an
algebra have been found using the method of induced representations. In the
case of constrained fields, we can classify all possible boundary conditions.
For several different boundary conditions, the field content of the theory
reduces precisely to that of 1+1 dimensional gravity theories. We extend the
above formalism to include sources. The sources take into account self-
interactions. This is done by punching holes in the disc, and erecting an
Kac-Moody algebra on the boundary of each hole. If the hole is
originally sourceless, a source can be created via the action of a vertex
operator . We give an explicit expression for . We shall show that when
actingComment: 42 pages, UAHEP 925, SU-4240-508, INFN-NA-IV-92/1
The Chern-Simons Source as a Conformal Family and Its Vertex Operators
In a previous work, a straightforward canonical approach to the source-free
quantum Chern-Simons dynamics was developed. It makes use of neither gauge
conditions nor functional integrals and needs only ideas known from QCD and
quantum gravity. It gives Witten's conformal edge states in a simple way when
the spatial slice is a disc. Here we extend the formalism by including sources
as well. The quantum states of a source with a fixed spatial location are shown
to be those of a conformal family, a result also discovered first by Witten.
The internal states of a source are not thus associated with just a single ray
of a Hilbert space. Vertex operators for both abelian and nonabelian sources
are constructed. The regularized abelian Wilson line is proved to be a vertex
operator. We also argue in favor of a similar nonabelian result. The
spin-statistics theorem is established for Chern-Simons dynamics even though
the sources are not described by relativistic quantum fields. The proof employs
geometrical methods which we find are strikingly transparent and pleasing. It
is based on the research of European physicists about ``fields localized on
cones.'
Insulator interface effects in sputter‐deposited NbN/MgO/NbN (superconductor–insulator–superconductor) tunnel junctions
All refractory, NbN/MgO/NbN (superconductor–insulator–superconductor) tunnel junctions have been fabricated by in situ sputter deposition. The influence of MgO thickness (0.8–6.0 nm) deposited under different sputtering ambients at various deposition rates on current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of small‐area (30×30 μm) tunnel junctions is studied. The NbN/MgO/NbN trilayer is deposited in situ by dc reactive magnetron (NbN), and rf magnetron (MgO) sputtering, followed by thermal evaporation of a protective Au cap. Subsequent photolithography, reactive ion etching, planarization, and top contact (Pb/Ag) deposition completes the junction structure. Normal resistance of the junctions with MgO deposited in Ar or Ar and N2 mixture shows good exponential dependence on the MgO thickness indicating formation of a pin‐hole‐free uniform barrier layer. Further, a postdeposition in situ oxygen plasma treatment of the MgO layer increases the junction resistance sharply, and reduces the subgap leakage. A possible enrichment of the MgO layer stoichiometry by the oxygen plasma treatment is suggested. A sumgap as high as 5.7 mV is observed for such a junctio
Spectroscopic Confirmation of a Radio-Selected Galaxy Overdensity at z=1.11
We report the discovery of a galaxy overdensity at z=1.11 associated with the
z=1.110 high-redshift radio galaxy MG0442+0202. The group, CL0442+0202, was
found in a near-infrared survey of z>1 radio galaxies undertaken to identify
spatially-coincident regions with a high density of objects red in I-K' color,
typical of z>1 elliptical galaxies. Spectroscopic observations from the Keck
telescope reveal five galaxies within 35" of MG0442+0202 at 1.10<z<1.11. These
member galaxies have broad-band colors and optical spectra consistent with
passively-evolving elliptical galaxies formed at high redshift. A 45ks Chandra
X-Ray Observatory observation detects the radio galaxy and four point sources
within 15" of the radio galaxy, corresponding to a surface density two orders
of magnitude higher than average for X-ray sources at these flux levels,
S(0.5-2keV) > 5e-16 erg/cm2/s. One of these point sources is identified with a
radio-quiet, typeII quasar at z=1.863, akin to sources recently reported in
deep Chandra surveys. The limit on an extended hot intracluster medium in the
Chandra data is S(1-6keV) < 1.9e-15 erg/cm2/s (3-sigma, 30" radius aperture).
Though the X-ray observations do not confirm the existence of a massive, bound
cluster at z>1, the success of the optical/near-infrared targeting of
early-type systems near the radio galaxy validates searches using radio
galaxies as beacons for high-redshift large-scale structure. We interpret
CL0442+0202 to be a massive cluster in the process of formation.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure
Big bang nucleosynthesis as a probe of fundamental "constants"
Big Bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) is the earliest sensitive probe of the values
of many fundamental particle physics parameters. We have found the leading
linear dependences of primordial abundances on all relevant parameters of the
standard BBN code, including binding energies and nuclear reaction rates. This
enables us to set limits on possible variations of fundamental parameters. We
find that 7Li is expected to be significantly more sensitive than other species
to many fundamental parameters, a result which also holds for variations of
coupling strengths in grand unified (GUT) models. Our work also indicates which
areas of nuclear theory need further development if the values of ``constants''
are to be more accurately probed.Comment: Refereed article to be published in Nuclear Physics in Astrophysics
III Proceedings, J. Phys. G. Special Issue. Based on work in collaboration
with C. Wetterich (Heidelberg). 6 page
Composite Fermions with Orbital Magnetization
For quantum Hall systems, in the limit of large magnetic field (or
equivalently small electron band mass ), the static response of electrons
to a spatially varying magnetic field is largely determined by kinetic energy
considerations. This response is not correctly given in existing approximations
based on the Fermion Chern-Simons theory of the partially filled Landau level.
We remedy this problem by attaching an orbital magnetization to each fermion to
separate the current into magnetization and transport contributions, associated
with the cyclotron and guiding center motions respectively. This leads to a
Chern-Simons Fermi liquid description of the state which
correctly predicts the dependence of the static and dynamic response in
the limit .Comment: 4 pages, RevTeX, no figure
Molecular orientational dynamics of the endohedral fullerene ScN@C as probed by C and Sc NMR
We measure 13C and 45Sc NMR lineshapes and spin-lattice relaxation times (T1)
to probe the orientational dynamics of the endohedral metallofullerene
Sc3N@C80. The measurements show an activated behavior for molecular
reorientations over the full temperature range with a similar behavior for the
temperature dependence of the 13C and 45Sc data. Combined with spectral data
from Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) NMR, the measurements can be interpreted to
mean the motion of the encapsulated Sc3N molecule is independent of that of the
C80 cage, although this requires the similar temperature dependence of the 13C
and 45Sc spin-lattice relaxation times to be coincidental. For the Sc3N to be
fixed to the C80 cage, one must overcome the symmetry breaking effect this has
on the Sc3N@C80 system since this would result in more than the observed two
13C lines.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure
Dual Instantons
We show how to map the Belavin-Polyakov instantons of the O(3)-nonlinear
model to a dual theory where they then appear as nontopological
solitons. They are stationary points of the Euclidean action in the dual
theory, and moreover, the dual action and the O(3)-nonlinear model
action agree on shell.Comment: 13 page
‘‘There’s so much more to it than what I initially thought’’: Stepping into researchers’ shoes with a class activity in a first year psychology survey course
In psychology, it is widely agreed that research methods, although central to the discipline, are particularly challenging to learn and teach, particularly at introductory level. This pilot study explored the potential of embedding a student-conducted research activity in a one-semester undergraduate Introduction to Psychology survey course, with the aims of (a) engaging students with the topic of research methods; (b) developing students’ comprehension and application of research methods concepts; and (c) building students’ ability to link research with theory. The research activity explored shoe ownership, examining gender differences and relationships with age, and linking to theories of gender difference and of consumer identity. The process of carrying out the research and reflecting on it created a contextualized, active learning environment in which students themselves raised many issues that research methods lectures seek to cover. Students also wrote richer assignments than standard first year mid-term essay
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