Instanton Dynamics in the Broken Phase of the Topological Sigma Model

The topological $\sigma$ model with the black hole metric of the target space is considered. It has been shown before that this model is in the phase with BRST-symmetry broken. In particular, vacuum energy is non-\-zero and correlation functions of observables show the coordinate dependence. However these quantities turned out to be infrared (IR) divergent. It is shown here that IR divergences disappear after the sum over an arbitrary number of additional instanton-\-anti-\-instanton pairs is performed. The model appears to be equivalent to Coulomb gas/Sine Gordon system.Comment: some references added

The Broken Phase of the Topological Sigma model

The topological sigma model with the semi-infinite cigar-like target space (black hole geometry) is considered. The model is shown to possess unsuppressed instantons. The noncompactness of the moduli space of these instantons is responsible for an unusual physics. There is a stable vacuum state in which the vacuum energy is zero, correlation functions are numbers thus the model is in the topological phase. However, there are other vacuum states in which correlation functions show the coordinate dependence. The estimation of the vacuum energy indicates that it is nonzero. These states are interpreted as the ones with broken BRST-symmetry.Comment: 30 pages, LATE

The Higgs and Coulomb/Confining Phases in "Twisted-Mass" Deformed CP(N-1) Model

We consider non-supersymmetric two-dimensional CP(N-1) model deformed by a term presenting the bosonic part of the twisted mass deformation of N=2 supersymmetric version of the model. Our deformation has a special form preserving a Z_N symmetry at the Lagrangian level. In the large mass limit the model is weakly coupled. Its dynamics is described by the Higgs phase, with Z_N spontaneously broken. At small masses it is in the strong coupling Coulomb/confining phase. The Z_N symmetry is restored. Two phases are separated by a phase transition. We find the phase transition point in the large-N limit. It lies at strong coupling. As was expected, the phase transition is related to broken versus unbroken Z_N symmetry in these two respective phases. The vacuum energies for these phases are determined too.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figures, reference adde

Dynamical Electron Mass in a Strong Magnetic Field

Motivated by recent interest in understanding properties of strongly magnetized matter, we study the dynamical electron mass generated through approximate chiral symmetry breaking in QED in a strong magnetic field. We reliably calculate the dynamical electron mass by numerically solving the nonperturbative Schwinger-Dyson equations in a consistent truncation within the lowest Landau level approximation. It is shown that the generation of dynamical electron mass in a strong magnetic field is significantly enhanced by the perturbative electron mass that explicitly breaks chiral symmetry in the absence of a magnetic field.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, published versio

Introduction to Graphene Electronics -- A New Era of Digital Transistors and Devices

The speed of silicon-based transistors has reached an impasse in the recent decade, primarily due to scaling techniques and the short-channel effect. Conversely, graphene (a revolutionary new material possessing an atomic thickness) has been shown to exhibit a promising value for electrical conductivity. Graphene would thus appear to alleviate some of the drawbacks associated with silicon-based transistors. It is for this reason why such a material is considered one of the most prominent candidates to replace silicon within nano-scale transistors. The major crux here, is that graphene is intrinsically gapless, and yet, transistors require a band-gap pertaining to a well-defined ON/OFF logical state. Therefore, exactly as to how one would create this band-gap in graphene allotropes is an intensive area of growing research. Existing methods include nano-ribbons, bilayer and multi-layer structures, carbon nanotubes, as well as the usage of the graphene substrates. Graphene transistors can generally be classified according to two working principles. The first is that a single graphene layer, nanoribbon or carbon nanotube can act as a transistor channel, with current being transported along the horizontal axis. The second mechanism is regarded as tunneling, whether this be band-to-band on a single graphene layer, or vertically between adjacent graphene layers. The high-frequency graphene amplifier is another talking point in recent research, since it does not require a clear ON/OFF state, as with logical electronics. This paper reviews both the physical properties and manufacturing methodologies of graphene, as well as graphene-based electronic devices, transistors, and high-frequency amplifiers from past to present studies. Finally, we provide possible perspectives with regards to future developments.Comment: This is an updated version of our review article, due to be published in Contemporary Physics (Sept 2013). Included are updated references, along with a few minor corrections. (45 pages, 19 figures

Quantum Communication Through a Spin-Ring with Twisted Boundary Conditions

We investigate quantum communication between the sites of a spin-ring with twisted boundary conditions. Such boundary conditions can be achieved by a flux through the ring. We find that a non-zero twist can improve communication through finite odd numbered rings and enable high fidelity multi-party quantum communication through spin rings (working near perfectly for rings of 5 and 7 spins). We show that in certain cases, the twist results in the complete blockage of quantum information flow to a certain site of the ring. This effect can be exploited to interface and entangle a flux qubit and a spin qubit without embedding the latter in a magnetic field.Comment: four pages two figure