Does the quenched reduced U(∞) chiral model break spontaneously in weak coupling?

The U(N) chiral model, when quenched using Parisi's rule, has a [U(1) × U(1)]^N/U(1) global invariance. To determine whether this symmetry breaks spontaneously in weak coupling for N=∞, a one-loop calculation of the distribution of eigenvalues of the single U(N) matrix of the model is performed. This distribution is shown to be uniform on the unit circle and hence, no symmetry breaking occurs. Further, the order parameter | tr U|²/N², which should be zero at N=∞ in the absence of spontaneous symmetry breaking, is evaluated in the weak coupling phase for one, two and three dimensions for N varying from 2 to 50 by Monte Carlo simulation of the quenched model. The data indicate that this parameter indeed goes to zero as N→∞ implying that the symmetry does not break.     

The O(N) vector model in the large-N limit revisited: multicritical points and double scaling limit

The multicritical points of the O(N)-invariant N vector model in the large-N limit are re-examined. Of particular interest are the subtleties involved in the stability of the phase structure at critical dimensions. In the limit N → ∞ while the coupling g → g_c in a correlated manner (the double scaling limit) a massless bound state O(N) singlet is formed and powers of 1/N are compensated by IR singularities. The persistence of the N → ∞ results beyond the leading order is then studied with particular interest in the possible existence of a phase with propagating small mass vector fields and a massless singlet bound state. We point out that under certain conditions the double scaled theory of the singlet field is non-interacting in critical dimensions.     

Exact renormalization group study of fermionic theories

The exact renormalization group approach (ERG) is developed for the case of pure fermionic theories by deriving a Grassmann version of the ERG equation and applying it to the study of fixed point solutions and critical exponents of the two-dimensional chiral Gross-Neveu model. An approximation based on the derivative expansion and a further truncation in the number of fields is used. Two solutions are obtained analytically in the limit N → ∞, with N being the number of fermionic species. For finite N some fixed point solutions, with their anomalous dimensions and critical exponents, are computed numerically. The issue of separation of physical results from the numerous spurious ones is discussed. We argue that one of the solutions we find can be identified with that of Dashen and Frishman, whereas the others seem to be new ones.     

Quantum bound states with zero binding energy

After reviewing the general properties of zero-energy quantum states, we give the explicit solutions of the Schrödinger equation with E = 0 for the class of potentials V = −|γ|/r^ν, where −∞ < ν < ∞. For ν > 2, these solutions are normalizable and correspond to bound states, if the angular momentum quantum number l > 0. (These states are normalizable, even for l = 0, if we increase the space dimension, D, beyond 4; i.e for D > 4.) For ν < −2 the above solutions, although unbound, are normalizable. This is true even though the corresponding potentials are repulsive for all r. We discuss the physics of these unusual effects.     

Hyperscaling for polymer rings

The statistics of a long closed self-avoiding walk (SAW) or polymer ring on a d-dimensional lattice obeys hyperscaling. The combination p_NR²_N^d/2μ^−N (where p_N is the number of configurations of an oriented and rooted N-step ring, R²_N a typical average size squared, and μ the SAW effective connectivity constant of the lattice) is equal for N å ∞ to a lattice-dependent constant times a universal amplitude A(d). The latter amplitude is calculated directly from the minimal continous Edwards model to second order in 4 − d. The case of rings at the upper critical dimension d = 4 is also studied. The results are checked against field-theoretical calculations, and former simulations. As a consequence, we show that the universal constant λ appearing to second order in in all critical phenomena amplitude ratios is equal to .     

The two-point correlation function of the one-dimensional matrix model

Following Kostov and Ben-Menahem, we calculate the two-puncture correlation function for the one-dimensional matrix model. We find that it depends on the details of discretization for all momenta p. Its only universal features are its vanishing as p → 0 and the appearance of double poles at |p| = n/√′, N = 1,2,…. We show how to derive these double poles in the conformal gauge treatment of Liouville gravity.     

The quantum mechanics of affine variables

We study the wrapping of N-type IIB Dp-branes on a compact Riemann surface Σ in genus g>1 by means of the Sen–Witten construction, as a superposition of N′-type IIB Dp′-brane/antibrane pairs, with p′>p. A background Neveu–Schwarz field B deforms the commutative C-algebra of functions on Σ to a non-commutative C-algebra. Our construction provides an explicit example of the N′→∞ limit advocated by Bouwknegt-Mathai and Witten in order to deal with twisted K-theory. We provide the necessary elements to formulate M(atrix) theory on this new C-algebra, by explicitly constructing a family of projective C-modules admitting constant-curvature connections. This allows us to define the g>1 analogue of the BPS spectrum of states in g=1, by means of Donaldson’s formulation of the Narasimhan–Seshadri theorem.     

Mesons and baryons at large N and strong coupling

The spectrum of the lattice gauge theory in the limit N → ∞ is studied. We calculate exactly the first two terms in the strong coupling expansion of the masses for the theory with naive fermions.     

RNA folding and large N matrix theory

We formulate the RNA folding problem as an N×N matrix field theory. This matrix formalism allows us to give a systematic classification of the terms in the partition function according to their topological character. The theory is set up in such a way that the limit N→∞ yields the so-called secondary structure (Hartree theory). Tertiary structure and pseudo-knots are obtained by calculating the 1/N² corrections to the partition function. We propose a generalization of the Hartree recursion relation to generate the tertiary structure.     

Relativistic field-theoretical equations for the three-body multichannel πN and γN scattering reactions and propagator of the Δ-resonance

A new form of the relativistic three-body equations for the coupled πN and γN scattering reactions with three particle final states ππN and γπN is suggested. These equations are derived in the framework of the time-ordered three dimensional field theory. The solutions of the considered equations satisfy the unitarity condition and are exactly gauge invariant. The form of these three-body equations is does not depend on the choice of the model of Lagrangian and is also the same for the formulations with and without quark degrees of freedom.

The effective potentials of the suggested equations are defined by the vertex functions with two on-mass shell particles. It is emphasized that these input vertex functions can be constructed from experimental data. Special attention is given to the construction of the propagator of the Δ-resonance in the framework of the separable πN potential model. The strong dependence of the multichannel πN and γN cross sections on the form of the Δ-resonance propagator[2] is discussed.

The used formulation of the relativistic three-dimensional and three-body equations allows us to overcome a number of approximations which are usually used by practical calculations of the πN and γN scattering reactions.     

Zero-temperature dynamics for the ferromagnetic Ising model on random graphs

We consider Glauber dynamics at zero temperature for the ferromagnetic Ising model on the usual random graph model on N vertices, with on average γ edges incident to each vertex, in the limit as N→∞. Based on numerical simulations, Svenson (Phys. Rev. E 64 (2001) 036122) reported that the dynamics fails to reach a global energy minimum for a range of values of γ. The present paper provides a mathematically rigorous proof that this failure to find the global minimum in fact happens for all γ>0. A lower bound on the residual energy is also given.     

Infinite-dimensional gauge groups and special nonlinear gravitons

A gauge theory in flat space—time, in which the gauge algebra is the (infinite-dimensional) algebra of vector fields on a surface, determines a curved space—time metric. This note deals with some completely integrable examples, concentrating on the N → ∞ limit of the Euler—Arnol'd equations [geodesics on SO(N)]. In this case, the metric turns out to be flat, which points the way to a coordinate transformation that solves the original equations.     

Continuum limit of finite temperature λφ3 from lattice Monte Carlo

The φ₃⁴ model at finite temperature is simulated on the lattice. For fixed N_t we compute the transition line for N_s → ∞ by means of finite size scaling techniques. The crossings of a renormalization group trajectory with the transition lines of increasing N_t give a well-defined limit for the critical temperature in the continuum. By considering different RG trajectories, we compute T^c/g as a function of the renormalized parameters.     

A continuum model of a solid with a free surface: I. Normal mode analysis of the model

A complete analysis is made of the normal modes of an isotropic continuum model of a solid which occupies the region (0, 0, 0) < (x, y, z) < (X, Y, Z), the limit (X, Y, Z) → (∞,∞,∞) being taken. The surface z = 0 is a free surface and that z = Z is fixed; cyclic boundary conditions are used in the x and y directions. The modal displacements (vectors), modal frequencies (as a function of the wave-vectors), and wave-vector-densities are obtained for all types of normal modes; the work is a modification and extension of that of earlier workers.     

Interpolating between Ising, XY-, and non-linear σ-models

The β-functions of O(N)-symmetric non-linear σ-models on the lattice were recently discovered to be non-monotonic for N 3. We explain the non-monotonic behaviour as a non-perturbative lattice effect by relating it to the Kosterlitz-Thouless transition of the XY-model. We also relate the latter transition to the phase transition of the Ising model. These relationships are established by interpolating between the O(N)- and the O(N − 1)-symmetric non-linear σ-models by suppression of the Nth component of the N-vector field with a mass term. A critical line in the coupling-mass plane connects the critical point of the Ising model (N = 1) with the critical point of the XY-model (N = 2). This line extends towards the region of non-monotonic behaviour of the β-function of the O(3)-symmetric model. The nature of the transition lines is also investigated.     

Solvent fluctuations and viscosity-dependent rates of solution reactions in a regime indescribable by the transition state theory

An organic molecule isomerizes in viscous solvents when appropriate cavities are formed around it in the course of slow diffusive thermal fluctuations of solvent molecules. The isomerization occurs when fast twisting (vibrational) fluctuations around a bond get to have large amplitudes in such cavities. This situation can be described by the two-reaction-coordinate model of Sumi and Marcus originally proposed for electron transfer reactions. In fact, the rate constant derived from this model fits nicely to that observed for thermal Z→E isomerization of substituted azobenzenes and N-benzylideneanilines. The rate constant is influenced by slow speeds of diffusive motions of solvent molecules, whose relaxation time τ is usually proportional to the solvent viscosity η. It has a form of k = 1/(k_TST⁻¹+k_f⁻¹), where k_TST, independent of τ, represents the rate constant expected from the transition state theory (TST), while k_f ∝ τ⁻ with 0 < ≤ 1 represents the part controlled by solvent fluctuations. An analytic expression of for the isomerization reactions is given in terms of physical parameters underlying the reaction mechanism with cavity formation.

This rate-constant formula is a general one applicable widely also to other solution reactions, covering from the TST-validated regime for a small τ to the TST-invalidated one for a large τ. In the former, k approaches k_TST since k_f k_TST, while in the latter, k approaches k_f since k_f k_TST, becoming decreasing with a decrease in the typical speed (∝ τ⁻¹) of solvent fluctuations. The dependence of k ≈ k_f ∝ η⁻ in the non-TST regime has often been observed also in biological reactions such as enzymatic ones. In this case, it is not appropriate to say that reactions are controlled by slow speeds of solvent fluctuations, but we should rather say that enzymes utilize this situation, which has been called conformational gating, in the course of solvent-fluctuation-driven conformational fluctuations of proteins. It has important meanings in protein functions.     

2D gravity+1D matter

We consider a formulation of nonperturbative two-dimensional quantum gravity coupled to a single bosonic field (d=1 matter). Starting from a matrix realization of the discretized model, we express the continuum theory as a double scaling limit in which the 2D cosmological constant g tends towards a critical value g_c, and the string coupling 1/N→0, with the scaling parameter ∝1n (g-g_c)/(g-g_c)N held fixed. We find that in this formulation logarithmic corrections already present at tree level persist to all higher genus, suggesting a behavior different from the previously considered cases of d<1 matter.     

Nonergodicity and dynamical approach to the anharmonic oscillator

General lower bounds for the time average C^AA(∞)≡lim_T→∞(1/T)∝^T₀ C^AA(t) dt of the correlation C^AA(t)≡A(t)A(0)−A² of an arbitrary variable A are derived, which depend only on the temperature derivatives of the canonical averages of A and the Hamiltonian of the system. The bounds may be used to give good estimations for C^AA(∞) which is different from zero when A is nonergodic. It is important to take care of these terms when dynamical theories made for interacting systems are applied to isolated systems. We show explicitely that our recently developed dynamical approach to phonon systems with quartic anharmonicity yields excellent results for the corresponding isolated system, the anharmonic single well oscillator, when nonvanishing time averages are taken into account.     

Renormalization of N = 2, 4 Yang-Mills theories with soft breaking of an extended supersymmetry by N = 1 mass term

N = 2, 4 Yang-Mills theories with soft breaking of an extended supersymmetry by mass terms are considered. It is proved that for N = 4 there are no ultraviolet divergences in the mass renormalization constants to all orders of perturbation theory. For N = 2 our two-loop calculations show that the charge and mass renormalization constants contain only one-loop divergences and are the same in this order. It is shown by direct calculation that mass terms can acquire finite quantum corrections starting from the two-loop approximation. The renormalization scheme dependence of N = 4 renormalization group functions is investigated. We have found that unlike renormalization schemes with minimal subtractions of divergences other renormalization schemes give a nonzero β-function. At nonzero masses the β-function in MOM schemes is not zero even at the one-loop level. In the massless case β≠0 beginning from the two-loop approximation.