Meanders: exact asymptotics

We conjecture that meanders are governed by the gravitational version of a c=−4 two-dimensional conformal field theory, allowing for exact predictions for the meander configuration exponent , and the semi-meander exponent

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. This result follows from an interpretation of meanders as pairs of fully packed loops on a random surface, described by two c=−2 free fields. The above values agree with recent numerical estimates. We generalize these results to a score of meandric numbers with various geometries and arbitrary loop fugacities.     

The two-dimensional two-component plasma plus background on a sphere: Exact results

An exact solution is given for a two-dimensional model of a Coulomb gas, more general than the previously solved ones. The system is made up of a uniformly charged background, positive particles, and negative particles, on the surface of a sphere. At the special value =2 of the reduced inverse temperature, the classical equilibrium statistical mechanics is worked out: the correlations and the grand potential are calculated. The thermodynamic limit is taken, and as it is approached the grand potential exhibits a finite-size correction of the expected universal form.Laboratoire associé au Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-URA D0063.     

The two-dimensional Coulomb gas on a sphere: Exact results

At the special value of the reduced inverse temperature=2, the equilibrium statistical mechanics of a two-dimensional Coulomb gas confined to the surface of a sphere is an exactly solvable problem, just as it was for the Coulomb gas in a plane. The thermodynamic quantities and all the correlation functions can be calculated. Use is made of an isomorphism between the classical Coulomb gas and the free Fermi field theory associated with the Dirac operator on the sphere.Laboratory associated with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique.     

New two-color dimer models with critical ground states

We define two new models on the square lattice in which each allowed configuration is a superposition of a covering by white dimers and one by black dimers. Each model maps to a solid-on-solid (SOS) model in which the height field is two dimensional. Measuring the stiffness of the SOS fluctuations in the rough phase provides critical exponents of the dimer models. Using this height representation, we have performed Monte Carlo simulations. They confirm that each dimer model has critical correlations and belongs to a new universality class. In the dimer-loop model (which maps to a loop model) one height component is smooth, but has unusual correlated fluctuations; the other height component is rough. In the noncrossing-dimer model the heights are rough, having two different elastic constants; an unusual form of its elastic theory implies anisotropic critical correlations.     

Exact Solution of a Charge-Asymmetric Two-Dimensional Coulomb Gas

The model under consideration is an asymmetric two-dimensional Coulomb gas of positively (q ₁=+1) and negatively (q ₂=–1/2) charged pointlike particles, interacting via a logarithmic potential. This continuous system is stable against collapse of positive-negative pairs of charges for the dimensionless coupling constant (inverse temperature) <4. The mapping of the Coulomb gas is made onto the complex Bullough–Dodd model, and recent results about that integrable 2D field theory are used. The mapping provides the full thermodynamics (the free energy, the internal energy, the specific heat) and the large-distance asymptotics of the particle correlation functions, in the whole stability regime of the plasma. The results are checked by a small- expansion and close to the collapse =4 point. The comparison is made with the exactly solvable symmetric version of the model (q ₁=+1,q ₂=–1), and some fundamental changes in statistics caused by the charge asymmetry are pointed out.     

Hawking radiation from dilaton gravity in 1 + 1 dimensions: a pedagogical review

Hawking radiation in d = 4 is regarded as a well understood quantum theoretical feature of Black Holes or of other geometric backgrounds with an event horizon. On the other hand, the dilaton theory, emerging after spherical reduction, and generalized dilaton theories only during the last years became the subject of numerous studies which unveiled a surprisingly difficult situation. Recently we have found some solution to the problem of Hawking flux in spherically reduced gravity which has the merit of using a minimal input. It leads to exact cancellation of negative contributions to this radiative flux, encountered in other approaches at infinity, so that our result asymptotically coincides with the one of minimally coupled scalars. The use of an integrated action is avoided — although we have been able to present also that quantity in a closed expression. This short review also summarizes and critically discusses recent activities in this field, including the problem of “conformal frames” for the background and questions which seem to be open in our own approach as well as in others.     

Quantum Hall effect: The resistivity of a 2D electron gas—a thermodynamic approach

Based on a thermodynamic approach, we have calculated the resistivity of a 2D electron gas, assumed dissipationless in a strong quantum limit. Standard measurements, with extra current leads, define the resistivity caused by a combination of Peltier and Seebeck effects. The current causes heating (cooling) at the first (second) sample contacts, due to the Peltier effect. The contact temperatures are different. The measured voltage is equal to the Peltier effect-induced thermoemf which is linear in current. As a result, the resistivity is non-zero as I→0. The resistivity is a universal function of magnetic field and temperature, expressed in fundamental units h/e². The universal features of magnetotransport data observed in the experiment confirm our predictions.     

Exact Recursive Calculation of Circulant Permanents: A Band of Different Diagonals inside a Uniform Matrix

We present a finite-order system of recurrence relations for the permanent of circulant matrices containing a band of k any-value diagonals on top of a uniform matrix (for k=1,2 and 3) and the method for deriving such recurrence relations, which is based on the permanents of the matrices with defects. The proposed system of linear recurrence equations with variable coefficients provides a powerful tool for the analysis of the circulant permanents, their fast, linear-time computing; and finding their asymptotics in a large-matrix-size limit. The latter problem is an open fundamental problem. Its solution would be tremendously important for a unified analysis of a wide range of the nature’s ♯P-hard problems, including problems in the physics of many-body systems, critical phenomena, quantum computing, quantum field theory, theory of chaos, fractals, theory of graphs, number theory, combinatorics, cryptography, etc.     

Contrast increasing by third-order nonlinear image processing: a numerical study for microscopic rectangular objects

This study deals with the simulation of the image formation involved by using a nonlinear image processor composed of a nonlinear medium placed at the common focus of a 4-f system. A simple linear model is developed taking into account the third-order optical nonlinearity of the medium (in the general case of nonlinear absorption and dephasing) and the optical transfer function of the 4-f system. The simulated images through the system are given for phase and/or amplitude rectangular objects. Our model and its corresponding simulation lead to optimizing nonlinear parameters of the medium for this class of objects, whatever their transmittance is, in order to enhance the visibility in image processors.