Fermion mass spectrum in a generalized instanton background

The spectrum of the squared Dirac operator is studied in the background of symmetric instanton-like configurations on symmetric spaces G/H. The eigenvalues are expressed in terms of Casimir invariants of G and H. These eigenvalues determine the masses of fermions in Kaluza-Klein theories with compactification induced by the generalized instantons. The G-representations of the zero modes are determined for fermions in arbitrary representations of H on S_n and CP_n. For spheres in even dimensions a comparison with the index theorem reveals a remarkable relation between the Nth index (or anomaly) of SO(2N) and dimensions of SO(2N + 1) representations. Using the fundamental indices, we find the topologically stable symmetric solutions on S_2n for any gauge group, and compare with recent results on local stability.     

Index theorem for the zero modes of Majorana fermion vortices in chiral p-wave superconductors

We show that the Majorana fermion zero modes in the cores of odd winding number vortices of a 2D (p(x)+ip(y))-paired superconductor is due to an index theorem. This theorem is analogous to that proven by Jackiw and Rebbi for the existence of localized Dirac fermion zero modes on the mass domain walls of a 1D Dirac theory. The important difference is that, in our case, the theorem is proven for a two component fermion field theory where the first and second components are related by parity reversal and Hermitian conjugation.     

Topological anomalies: Explicit examples

We discuss the mathematical picture of anomalies. By solving the Dirac equation in the background of non-trivial families of gauge connections, we show explicitly the interplay between spectral flows, zero modes of the Dirac operator and projective representations of the gauge group, and the existence of both perturbative and non-perturbative anomalies. We give an explicit expression for the fermion determinant for chiral QCD in two dimensions when an anomaly is present.     

Index of a family of lattice Dirac operators and its relation to the non-Abelian anomaly on the lattice

In the continuum, a topological obstruction to the vanishing of the non-Abelian anomaly in 2n dimensions is given by the index of a certain Dirac operator in 2n+2 dimensions, or equivalently, the index of a 2-parameter family of Dirac operators in 2n dimensions. In this paper an analogous result is derived for chiral fermions on the lattice in the overlap formulation. This involves deriving an index theorem for a family of lattice Dirac operators satisfying the Ginsparg-Wilson relation. The index density is proportional to Lüscher's topological field in 2n+2 dimensions.     

Axial anomalies of Lifshitz fermions

We compute the axial anomaly of a Lifshitz fermion theory with anisotropic scaling z = 3 which is minimally coupled to geometry in 3+1 space‐time dimensions. We find that the result is identical to the relativistic case using path integral methods. An independent verification is provided by showing with spectral methods that the η‐invariant of the Dirac and Lifshitz fermion operators in three dimensions are equal. Thus, by the integrated form of the anomaly, the index of the Dirac operator still accounts for the possible breakdown of chiral symmetry in non‐relativistic theories of gravity. We apply this framework to the recently constructed gravitational instanton backgrounds of Hořava–Lifshitz theory and find that the index is non‐zero provided that the space‐time foliation admits leaves with harmonic spinors. Using Hitchin's construction of harmonic spinors on Berger spheres, we obtain explicit results for the index of the fermion operator on all such gravitational instanton backgrounds with SU(2) × U(1) isometry. In contrast to the instantons of Einstein gravity, chiral symmetry breaking becomes possible in the unimodular phase of Hořava–Lifshitz theory arising at λ = 1/3 provided that the volume of space is bounded from below by the ratio of the Ricci to Cotton tensor couplings raised to the third power. Some other aspects of the anomalies in non‐relativistic quantum field theories are also discussed.     

基于介质环形柱结构的二维光子晶体中Dirac点的实现

利用偶然简并方法在二维正方格子介质环形柱结构光子晶体中成功实现了Dirac点, 并利用平面波展开法对实现Dirac点的过程进行了研究. 研究结果表明, 对于二维正方格子介质环形柱结构光子晶体, 在一定的外径R_O范围内(0.37a<R_O<0.5a), 当Dirac点存在时(n>1.4), 介质环内径R_I与外径R_O满足一个不随介质环折射率n变化的恒定关系式. 同时, Dirac点对应的光子约化频率f随折射率n及外径R_O的增大而减小. 利用所得的关系式对特定介质环折射率n条件下能实现Dirac点的环形光子晶体进行了预判设计.     

The spectral density of the QCD Dirac operator and patterns of chiral symmetry breaking

We study the spectrum of the QCD Dirac operator for two colors with fermions in the fundamental representation and for two or more colors with adjoint fermions. For N_f flavors, the chiral flavor symmetry of these theories is spontaneously broken according to SU (2N_f → Sp (2N_f) and SU (N_f → O (N_f), respectively, rather than the symmetry breaking pattern SU (N_f) × SU (N_f) → SU (N_f) for QCD with three or more colors and fundamental fermions. In this paper we study the Dirac spectrum for the first two symmetry breaking patterns. Following previous work for the third case we find the Dirac spectrum in the domain λ Λ_QCD by means of partially quenched chiral perturbation theory. In particular, this result allows us to calculate the slope of the Dirac spectrum at λ = 0. We also show that for λ 1/L₂ Λ_QCD (wing L the linear size fo the system) the Dirac spectrum is given by a chiral Random Matrix Theory with the symmetries of the Dirac operator.     

Steady state and relaxation spectrum of the Oslo rice-pile model

We show that the one-dimensional Oslo rice-pile model is a special case of the abelian distributed processors model. The exact steady state of the model is determined. We show that the time evolution operator for the system satisfies the equation where n=L(L+1)/2 for a pile with L sites. This implies that has only one eigenvalue 1 corresponding to the steady state, and all other eigenvalues are exactly zero. Also, all connected time-dependent correlation functions in the steady state of the pile are exactly zero for time difference greater than n. Generalization to other abelian critical height models where the critical thresholds are randomly reset after each toppling is briefly discussed.     

Electron fractionalization in two-dimensional graphenelike structures

Electron fractionalization is intimately related to topology. In one-dimensional systems, fractionally charged states exist at domain walls between degenerate vacua. In two-dimensional systems, fractionalization exists in quantum Hall fluids, where time-reversal symmetry is broken by a large external magnetic field. Recently, there has been a tremendous effort in the search for examples of fractionalization in two-dimensional systems with time-reversal symmetry. In this Letter, we show that fractionally charged topological excitations exist on graphenelike structures, where quasiparticles are described by two flavors of Dirac fermions and time-reversal symmetry is respected. The topological zero modes are mathematically similar to fractional vortices in p-wave superconductors. They correspond to a twist in the phase in the mass of the Dirac fermions, akin to cosmic strings in particle physics.     

Overlap Dirac operator at nonzero chemical potential and random matrix theory

We show how to introduce a quark chemical potential in the overlap Dirac operator. The resulting operator satisfies a Ginsparg-Wilson relation and has exact zero modes. It is no longer gamma5 Hermitian, but its nonreal eigenvalues still occur in pairs. We compute the spectral density of the operator on the lattice and show that, for small eigenvalues, the data agree with analytical predictions of non-Hermitian chiral random matrix theory for both trivial and nontrivial topology. We also explain an observed change in the number of zero modes as a function of chemical potential.     

Anisotropic and valley-resolved beam-splitter based on a tilted Dirac system

We investigate theoretically valley-resolved lateral shift of electrons traversing an n–p–n junction bulit on a typical tilted Dirac system (8-Pmmn borophene). A gauge-invariant formula on Goos–Hänchen (GH) shift of transmitted beams is derived, which holds for any anisotropic isoenergy surface. The tilt term brings valley dependence of relative position between the isoenergy surface in n region and that in the p region. Consequently, valley double refraction can occur at the n–p interface. The exiting positions of two valley-polarized beams depend on the incident angle and energy of incident beam and barrier parameters. Their spatial distance D can be enhanced to be ten to a hundred times larger than the barrier width. Due to tilting-induced high anisotropy of the isoenergy surface, D depends strongly on the barrier orientation. It is always zero when the junction is along the tilt direction of Dirac cones. Thus GH effect of transmitted beams in tilted Dirac systems can be utilized to design anisotropic and valley-resolved beam-splitter.     

Gravity, non-commutative geometry and the Wodzicki residue

We derive an action for gravity in the framework of non-commutative geometry by using the Wodzicki residue. We prove that for a Dirac operator D on an n dimensional compact Riemannian manifold with n ≥ 4, n even, the Wodzicki residue Res(D⁻ⁿ⁺²) is the integral of the second coefficient of the heat kernel expansion of D². We use this result to derive a gravity action for commutative geometry which is the usual Einstein-Hilbert action and we also apply our results to a non-commutative extension which is given by the tensor product of the algebra of smooth functions on a manifold and a finite dimensional matrix algebra. In this case we obtain gravity with a cosmological constant.     

Simulation of first order confinement transition in relativistic heavy ion collision

We have carried out numerical simulation of first order phase transition in 2+1 dimensions to study the formation and evolution of Z(3) domain walls in relativistic Heavy Ion Collision using the effective potential proposed by Pisarski for QCD where Polyakov loop is the order parameter of the weak first order phase transition. Bubbles of the QGP phase are randomly nucleated on the lattice, which grow and coalesce. The spontaneous breaking of Z(3) symmetry in QGP phase gives rise to domain walls and topological strings. We discuss P _T enhancement due to reflection of quarks from the collapsing domain walls. We also discuss enhancement of doubly strange and triply strange hadrons due to larger concentration of s quarks inside collapsing wall. The decay of the domain walls when temperature drops below T _c results in the fluctuations of energy density.     

Gauge theory ofSU(2) Weyl fermion: Is it consistent?

Gauge theory ofSU(2) Weyl fermions was alleged by Witten to be inconsistent due to global anomaly. Evidences of inconsistency were also reported from contradictions between the anomalousU(1) symmetry and the fact that theSU(2) group is free of local anomaly. Here we show how the zero modes of Dirac operator, ignored by the authors of these arguments, play a decisive role and saveSU(2) Weyl fermions from inconsistency in each case. The symmetric chiral current, obtained by adding the Chern-Simons current to the fermionic chiral current, fails to be conserved precisely due to the contributions of zero modes to the ABJ anomaly equation. The Jacobian of the fermion measure under rigid chiralU(1) transformation is, however, guaranteed to be trivial by the Atiyah-Singer index theorem. Finally, a zero mode is the point of bifurcation of eigenvalue trajectory in the homotopy space. In its neighbourhood the hypothesis of adiabaticity made by Witten breaks down due to violent oscillations between levels, which makes his allegation of global anomaly untenable.     

On the string interpretation of M(atrix) theory

It has been proposed recently that, in the framework of M(atrix) theory, = 8 supersymmetric U(N) Yang-Mills theory in 1 + 1 dimensions gives rise to type IIA long string configurations. We point out that the quantum moduli space of SYM_{1 + 1} gives rise to two quantum numbers, which fit very well into the M(atrix) theory. The two quantum numbers become familiar if one switches to a IIB picture, where they represent configurations of D-strings and fundamental strings. We argue that, due to the SL(2,Z) symmetry, of the IIB theory, such quantum numbers must represent configurations that are present also in the IIA framework.     

Fermionic Zero Modes in Self-dual Vortex Background on a Torus

We study fermionic zero modes in the self-dual vortex background on an extra two-dimensional Riemann surface in （5＋1） dimensions. Using the generalized Abelian-Higgs model, we obtain the inner topological structure of the self-dual vortex and establish the exact self-duality equation with topological term. Then we analyze the Dirac operator on an extra torus and the effective Lagrangian of four-dimensional fermions with the self-dual vortex background. Solving the Dirac equation, the fermionic zero modes on a torus with the self-dual vortex background in two simple cases are obtained.     

Zitterbewegung, chirality, and minimal conductivity in graphene

It has been recently demonstrated experimentally that graphene, or single-layer carbon, is a gapless semiconductor with massless Dirac energy spectrum. A finite conductivity per channel of order of e²/h in the limit of zero temperature and zero charge carrier density is one of the striking features of this system. Here we analyze this peculiarity based on the Kubo and Landauer formulas. The appearance of a finite conductivity without scattering is shown to be a characteristic property of Dirac chiral fermions in two dimensions.     

Dynamical consequences of spontaneous breakdown of symmetries

The spontaneous breakdown of a continuous symmetry group generated by conserved currents is considered. In the framework of general quantum field theory the possible dynamical consequences of spontaneous breakdown are analysed: a general relation is derived between n− and (n+1) — point functions involving Goldstone bosons in the limit of zero momentum. The technique is illustrated by a few examples for the SU(2) × SU(2) chiral group and the results generalized relations known from the perturbative treatment of the σ-model.