On Inhomogeneity of a String Bit Model for Quantum Gravity

We study quantum gravitational effect on a two-dimensional open universe with one particle by means of a string bit model. We find that matter is necessarily homogeneously distributed if the influence of the particle on the size of the universe is optimized.Comment: 16 pages, LaTeX2

Chemical Differences between K and Na in Alkali Cobaltates

K$_x$CoO$_2$ shares many similarities with Na$_x$CoO$_2$, as well as some important differences (no hydration-induced superconductivity has been reported). At $T_{c2}$=20 K, K$_{0.5}$CoO$_2$ becomes an insulator with a tiny optical gap as happens in Na$_{0.5}$CoO$_2$ at 52 K. This similarity, with a known common structure, enables direct comparisons to be made. Using the K-zigzag structure recently reported and the local density approximation, we compare and contrast these cobaltates at x=0.5. Although the electronic structures are quite similar as expected, substantial differences are observed near the Fermi level. These differences are found to be attributable mostly to the chemical, rather than structural difference: although Na is normally considered to be fully ion, K has somewhat more highly ionic character than does Na in these cobaltates.Comment: 5 paper

Scalar Quarkonium Masses and Mixing with the Lightest Scalar Glueball

We evaluate the continuum limit of the valence (quenched) approximation to the mass of the lightest scalar quarkonium state, for a range of different quark masses, and to the mixing energy between these states and the lightest scalar glueball. Our results support the interpretation of $f_0(1710)$ as composed mainly of the lightest scalar glueball.Comment: 14 pages of Latex, 5 PostScript figure

Large-N Yang-Mills Theory as Classical Mechanics

To formulate two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory with adjoint matter fields in the large-N limit as classical mechanics, we derive a Poisson algebra for the color-invariant observables involving adjoint matter fields. We showed rigorously in J. Math. Phys. 40, 1870 (1999) that different quantum orderings of the observables produce essentially the same Poisson algebra. Here we explain, in a less precise but more pedagogical manner, the crucial topological graphical observations underlying the formal proof.Comment: 8 pages, 3 eps figues, LaTeX2.09, aipproc macros needed; conference proceeding of MRST '99 (10-12 May, 1999, Carleton University, Canada

Unitary Irreducible Representations of a Lie Algebra for Matrix Chain Models

There is a decomposition of a Lie algebra for open matrix chains akin to the triangular decomposition. We use this decomposition to construct unitary irreducible representations. All multiple meson states can be retrieved this way. Moreover, they are the only states with a finite number of non-zero quantum numbers with respect to a certain set of maximally commuting linearly independent quantum observables. Any other state is a tensor product of a multiple meson state and a state coming from a representation of a quotient algebra that extends and generalizes the Virasoro algebra. We expect the representation theory of this quotient algebra to describe physical systems at the thermodynamic limit.Comment: 46 pages, no figure; LaTeX2e, amssymb, latexsym; typos correcte