11,355 research outputs found
Orientifolds, RR Torsion, and K-theory
We analyze the role of RR fluxes in orientifold backgrounds from the point of
view of K-theory, and demonstrate some physical implications of describing
these fluxes in K-theory rather than cohomology. In particular, we show that
certain fractional shifts in RR charge quantization due to discrete RR fluxes
are naturally explained in K-theory. We also show that some orientifold
backgrounds, which are considered distinct in the cohomology classification,
become equivalent in the K-theory description, while others become unphysical.Comment: 30 pages, 5 figures; typos corrected and references adde
Supersymmetric Quantum Mechanics for String-Bits
We develop possible versions of supersymmetric single particle quantum
mechanics, with application to superstring-bit models in view. We focus
principally on space dimensions , the transverse dimensionalities of
superstring in space-time dimensions. These are the cases for which
``classical'' superstring makes sense, and also the values of for which
Hooke's force law is compatible with the simplest superparticle dynamics. The
basic question we address is: When is it possible to replace such harmonic
force laws with more general ones, including forces which vanish at large
distances? This is an important question because forces between string-bits
that do not fall off with distance will almost certainly destroy cluster
decomposition. We show that the answer is affirmative for , negative for
, and so far inconclusive for .Comment: 17 pages, Late
Near zero modes in condensate phases of the Dirac theory on the honeycomb lattice
We investigate a number of fermionic condensate phases on the honeycomb
lattice, to determine whether topological defects (vortices and edges) in these
phases can support bound states with zero energy. We argue that topological
zero modes bound to vortices and at edges are not only connected, but should in
fact be \emph{identified}. Recently, it has been shown that the simplest s-wave
superconducting state for the Dirac fermion approximation of the honeycomb
lattice at precisely half filling, supports zero modes inside the cores of
vortices (P. Ghaemi and F. Wilczek, 2007). We find that within the continuum
Dirac theory the zero modes are not unique neither to this phase, nor to half
filling. In addition, we find the \emph{exact} wavefunctions for vortex bound
zero modes, as well as the complete edge state spectrum of the phases we
discuss. The zero modes in all the phases we examine have even-numbered
degeneracy, and as such pairs of any Majorana modes are simply equivalent to
one ordinary fermion. As a result, contrary to bound state zero modes in superconductors, vortices here do \emph{not} exhibit non-Abelian exchange
statistics. The zero modes in the pure Dirac theory are seemingly topologically
protected by the effective low energy symmetry of the theory, yet on the
original honeycomb lattice model these zero modes are split, by explicit
breaking of the effective low energy symmetry.Comment: Final version including numerics, accepted for publication in PR
What the manifestos tell us about the 2021 Dutch general election
The Netherlands will hold a general election on 17 March. Matthew E Bergman presents a comprehensive analysis of what the main parties’ manifestos indicate about the country’s current electoral dynamics
Italy’s constitutional referendum: yet another reform to improve the country’s governability
Italy will hold a constitutional referendum on 20-21 September which proposes to reduce the size of both chambers of the Italian parliament. Matthew E. Bergman provides the background to the vote and assesses the potential political consequences
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