Scalar--flat K\"ahler metrics with conformal Bianchi V symmetry

We provide an affirmative answer to a question posed by Tod \cite{Tod:1995b}, and construct all four-dimensional Kahler metrics with vanishing scalar curvature which are invariant under the conformal action of Bianchi V group. The construction is based on the combination of twistor theory and the isomonodromic problem with two double poles. The resulting metrics are non-diagonal in the left-invariant basis and are explicitly given in terms of Bessel functions and their integrals. We also make a connection with the LeBrun ansatz, and characterise the associated solutions of the SU(\infty) Toda equation by the existence a non-abelian two-dimensional group of point symmetries.Comment: Dedicated to Maciej Przanowski on the occasion of his 65th birthday. Minor corrections. To appear in CQ

Relaxation dynamics of the Lieb-Liniger gas following an interaction quench: A coordinate Bethe-ansatz analysis

We investigate the relaxation dynamics of the integrable Lieb-Liniger model of contact-interacting bosons in one dimension following a sudden quench of the collisional interaction strength. The system is initially prepared in its noninteracting ground state and the interaction strength is then abruptly switched to a positive value, corresponding to repulsive interactions between the bosons. We calculate equal-time correlation functions of the nonequilibrium Bose field for small systems of up to five particles via symbolic evaluation of coordinate Bethe-ansatz expressions for operator matrix elements between Lieb-Liniger eigenstates. We characterize the relaxation of the system by comparing the time-evolving correlation functions following the quench to the equilibrium correlations predicted by the diagonal ensemble and relate the behavior of these correlations to that of the quantum fidelity between the many-body wave function and the initial state of the system. Our results for the asymptotic scaling of local second-order correlations with increasing interaction strength agree with the predictions of recent generalized thermodynamic Bethe-ansatz calculations. By contrast, third-order correlations obtained within our approach exhibit a markedly different power-law dependence on the interaction strength as the Tonks-Girardeau limit of infinitely strong interactions is approached.Comment: 19 pages, 10 figures. v3: Final version. Typos fixed, and other minor change

Matching of spatially homogeneous non-stationary space--times to vacuum in cylindrical symmetry

We study the matching of LRS spatially homogeneous collapsing dust space-times with non-stationary vacuum exteriors in cylindrical symmetry. Given an interior with diagonal metric we prove existence and uniqueness results for the exterior. The matched solutions contain trapped surfaces, singularities and Cauchy horizons. The solutions cannot be asymptotically flat and we present evidence that they are singular on the Cauchy horizons.Comment: LaTeX, 15 pages, 1 figure, submitted for publicatio

Complete Calabi-Yau metrics from Kahler metrics in D=4

In the present work the local form of certain Calabi-Yau metrics possessing a local Hamiltonian Killing vector is described in terms of a single non linear equation. The main assumptions are that the complex $(3,0)$-form is of the form $e^{ik}\widetilde{\Psi}$, where $\widetilde{\Psi}$ is preserved by the Killing vector, and that the space of the orbits of the Killing vector is, for fixed value of the momentum map coordinate, a complex 4-manifold, in such a way that the complex structure of the 4-manifold is part of the complex structure of the complex 3-fold. The link with the solution generating techniques of [26]-[28] is made explicit and in particular an example with holonomy exactly SU(3) is found by use of the linearization of [26], which was found in the context of D6 branes wrapping a holomorphic 1-fold in a hyperkahler manifold. But the main improvement of the present method, unlike the ones presented in [26]-[28], does not rely in an initial hyperkahler structure. Additionally the complications when dealing with non linear operators over the curved hyperkahler space are avoided by use of this method.Comment: Version accepted for publication in Phys.Rev.

“It’s my dream to work with Olympic athletes”: Neophyte sport psychologists’ expectations and initial experiences regarding service delivery

We examined trainee practitioners' initial experiences of applied sport psychology practice. Semi-structured interviews (4) were conducted over 6 months with 7 full-time MSc students before, during, and after the applied sport psychology module, when they were working with clients. Participants also kept reflective diaries over an 8-week period whilst working with clients. Findings included: (a) motivations and expectations of an ASP practice career, (b) perceptions of service delivery, (c) emotional demands, and (d) pivotal experiences. Findings extend previous literature on the initial stages of practitioner development, providing micro-level detail on aspects of the intense development process during this pivotal perio

Discovery of a 6.4 keV Emission Line in a Burst from SGR 1900+14

We present evidence of a 6.4 keV emission line during a burst from the soft gamma-ray repeater SGR 1900+14. The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) monitored this source extensively during its outburst in the summer of 1998. A strong burst observed on August 29, 1998 revealed a number of unique properties. The burst exhibits a precursor and is followed by a long (~ 1000 s) tail modulated at the 5.16 s stellar rotation period. The precursor has a duration of 0.85 s and shows both significant spectral evolution as well as an emission feature centered near 6.4 keV during the first 0.3 s of the event, when the X-ray spectrum was hardest. The continuum during the burst is well fit with an optically thin thermal bremsstrahlung (OTTB) spectrum with the temperature ranging from about 40 to 10 keV. The line is strong, with an equivalent width of 400 eV, and is consistent with Fe K-alpha fluorescence from relatively cool material. If the rest-frame energy is indeed 6.4 keV, then the lack of an observed redshift indicates that the source is at least 80 km above the neutron star surface. We discuss the implications of the line detection in the context of models for SGRs.Comment: AASTex preprint, 14 pages, 3 embedded figures. Accepted for Publication in Astrophysical Journal Letter

A note on behaviour at an isotropic singularity

The behaviour of Jacobi fields along a time-like geodesic running into an isotropic singularity is studied. It is shown that the Jacobi fields are crushed to zero length at a rate which is the same in every direction orthogonal to the geodesic. We show by means of a counter-example that this crushing effect depends crucially on a technicality of the definition of isotropic singularities, and not just on the uniform degeneracy of the metric at the singularity.Comment: 13 pp. plain latex. To appear in Classical and Quantum Gravit

Bianchi type II,III and V diagonal Einstein metrics re-visited

We present, for both minkowskian and euclidean signatures, short derivations of the diagonal Einstein metrics for Bianchi type II, III and V. For the first two cases we show the integrability of the geodesic flow while for the third case a somewhat unusual bifurcation phenomenon takes place: for minkowskian signature elliptic functions are essential in the metric while for euclidean signature only elementary functions appear

The Dynamics of a Classical Spinning Particle in Vaidya Space-Time

Based on the Mathisson-Papapetrou-Dixon (MPD) equations and the Vaidya metric, the motion of a spinning point particle orbiting a non-rotating star while undergoing radiation-induced gravitational collapse is studied in detail. A comprehensive analysis of the orbital dynamics is performed assuming distinct central mass functions which satisfy the weak energy condition, in order to determine a correspondence between the choice of mass function and the spinning particle's orbital response, as reflected in the gravitational waves emitted by the particle. The analysis presented here is likely most beneficial for the observation of rotating solar mass black holes or neutron stars in orbit around intermediate-sized Schwarzschild black holes undergoing radiation collapse. The possibility of detecting the effects of realistic mass accretion based on this approach is considered. While it seems unlikely to observe such effects based on present technology, they may perhaps become observable with the advent of future detectors.Comment: REVTeX file, 20 pages, 26 figure