A class of non-singular gravi-dilaton backgrounds

We present a class of static, spherically symmetric, non-singular solutions of the tree-level string effective action, truncated to first order in $\alpha'$. In the string frame the solutions approach asymptotically (at $r\to 0$ and $r\to \infty$) two different anti-de Sitter configurations, thus interpolating between two maximally symmetric states of different constant curvature. The radial-dependent dilaton defines a string coupling which is everywhere finite, with a peak value that can be chosen arbitrarily small so as to neglect quantum-loop corrections. This example stresses the possible importance of finite-size $\alpha'$ corrections, typical of string theory, in avoiding space-time singularities.Comment: 9 pages, LATEX, four figure included using EPSFIG. Essay written for the 1997 Awards of the Gravity Research Foundation, and selected for "Honorable Mention". To appear in Mod. Phys. Lett.

Symmetry breaking aspects of the effective Lagrangian for quantum black holes

The physical excitations entering the effective Lagrangian for quantum black holes are related to a Goldstone boson which is present in the Rindler limit and is due to the spontaneous breaking of the translation symmetry of the underlying Minkowski space. This physical interpretation, which closely parallels similar well-known results for the effective stringlike description of flux tubes in QCD, gives a physical insight into the problem of describing the quantum degrees of freedom of black holes. It also suggests that the recently suggested concept of 'black hole complementarity' emerges at the effective Lagrangian level rather than at the fundamental level.Comment: 11 pages, Latex,1 figur

A late-time transition in the equation of state versus Lambda-CDM

We study a model of the dark energy which exhibits a rapid change in its equation of state w(z), such as occurs in vacuum metamorphosis. We compare the model predictions with CMB, large scale structure and supernova data and show that a late-time transition is marginally preferred over standard Lambda-CDM.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the proceedings of XXXVIIth Rencontres de Moriond, "The Cosmological Model", March 200

Thermal behavior of Quantum Cellular Automaton wires

We investigate the effect of a finite temperature on the behavior of logic circuits based on the principle of Quantum Cellular Automata (QCA) and of ground state computation. In particular, we focus on the error probability for a wire of QCA cells that propagates a logic state. A numerical model and an analytical, more approximate, model are presented for the evaluation of the partition function of such a system and, consequently, of the desired probabilities. We compare the results of the two models, assessing the limits of validity of the analytical approach, and provide estimates for the maximum operating temperature.Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures, uses revte

Non-local dilaton coupling to dark matter: cosmic acceleration and pressure backreaction

A model of non-local dilaton interactions, motivated by string duality symmetries, is applied to a scenario of "coupled quintessence" in which the dilaton dark energy is non-locally coupled to the dark-matter sources. It is shown that the non-local effects tend to generate a backreaction which -- for strong enough coupling -- can automatically compensate the acceleration due to the negative pressure of the dilaton potential, thus asymptotically restoring the standard (dust-dominated) decelerated regime. This result is illustrated by analytical computations and numerical examples.Comment: 11 pages, 1 figure ep

A family of filters to search for frequency dependent gravitational wave stochastic backgrounds

We consider a three dimensional family of filters based on broken power law spectra to search for gravitational wave stochastic backgrounds in the data from Earth-based laser interferometers. We show that such templates produce the necessary fitting factor for a wide class of cosmological backgrounds and astrophysical foregrounds and that the total number of filters required to search for those signals in the data from first generation laser interferometers operating at the design sensitivity is fairly smallComment: 4 pages, 4 figures, uses iopart.cls, accepted for publications on Classical and Quantum Gravity (Special Issue, Proceedings of Amaldi 2003

Recent developments in quantum string cosmology

In this talk we discuss the quantisation of a class of string cosmology models characterised by scale factor duality invariance. The amplitudes for the full set of classically allowed and forbidden transitions are computed by applying the reduced phase space and path integral methods. In particular, the path integral calculation clarifies the meaning of the instanton-like behaviour of the transition amplitudes that has been first pointed out in previous investigations.Comment: 4 pages, one eps figures, uses espcrc2.sty. Talk given at the Third Conference on Constrained Dynamics and Quantum Gravit

Simulation of a non-invasive charge detector for quantum cellular automata

Information in a Quantum Cellular Automata architecture is encoded in the polarizazion state of a cell, i.e., in the occupation numbers of the quantum dots of which the cell is made up. Non-invasive charge detectors of single electrons in a quantum dot are therefore needed, and recent experiments have shown that a quantum constriction electrostatically coupled to the quantum dot may be a viable solution. We have performed a numerical simulation of a system made of a quantum dot and a nearby quantum point contact defined, by means of depleting metal gates, in a two-dimensional electron gas at a GaAs/AlGaAs heterointerface. We have computed the occupancy of each dot and the resistance of the quantum wire as a function of the voltage applied to the plunger gate, and have derived design criteria for achieving optimal sensitivity.Comment: 8 pages, RevTeX, epsf, 5 figure