A superspace formulation of the BV action for higher derivative theories

We first analyse the anti-BRST and double BRST structures of a certain higher derivative theory that has been known to possess BRST symmetry associated with its higher derivative structure. We discuss the invariance of this theory under shift symmetry in the Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) formalism. We show that the action for this theory can be written in a manifestly extended BRST invariant manner in superspace formalism using one Grassmann coordinate. It can also be written in a manifestly extended BRST invariant manner and on-shell manifestly extended anti-BRST invariant manner in superspace formalism using two Grassmann coordinates.     

Composite behavior and multidegeneracy in high-pressure phases of Cs and Rb

The pressure-driven phases Cs III and Rb III having large unit cells are shown to be peculiar examples of commensurate modulated composites with two monatomic subsystems of striking simplicity. The two subsystems are obverse-reverse layers, symmetry related but misfitted. Modulations are smooth and describable by a few parameters within a well-defined superspace symmetry. Ab initio density-functional theory calculations show that the composite character is reflected in their physical behavior. Cs III has a low-energy mode with phason character corresponding to the relative sliding of the neighboring misfitted layers, the energy barrier being lower than 0.01 meV/atom, which is most favorable for transforming to other configurations. These phases possess a quasidegenerate energy landscape, close to the signature of incommensurate systems and quasicrystals.     

M-Theory in the Gaugeon Formalism

In this paper we will analyse the Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena(ABJM) theory in N = 1 superspace formalism.We then study the quantum gauge transformations for this ABJM theory in gaugeon formalism.We will also analyse the extended BRST symmetry for this ABJM theory in gaugeon formalism and show that these BRST transformations for this theory are nilpotent and this in turn leads to the unitary evolution of the S-matrix.     

Incommensurate/commensurate charge-density-wave states as a source for plutonium metal behavior

Physical property behavior of plutonium (Pu) metal phases is like that of an incommensurate charge-density wave (ICDW) system where the CDW influenced distortion modulates the crystal. As incommensurates, the different Pu phases may have to be considered as superspace group structures where there is a one-dimensional modulation of the basic three-dimensional lattice. Certain Pu phases may then be classified into as many as three Bravais classes when considered in (3 + 1) dimensional space. The possible variants in Bravais class, crystals setting and bottom lines, as well as allowable differences in the number of atoms per unit cell, should permit incommensurate materials, as well as Pu phases, to appear in different variants of the basic space group structure on heating and cooling cycles. One should not expect the lower temperature phases, e.g., Pu, to return to their original distorted or modulated structures at constant rate cooling, after being distorted or modulated by CDWs in their higher temperature space group structures. This can explain the hysteresis in phase transitions noted with Pu metal and with incommensurate materials in general.

Chiral symmetry appears to be inherent to the incommensurability of a quasi-one dimensional system. All but one of the reported space group structures for Pu phases have at least a one-dimensional twofold screw axis with a center of symmetry, i.e., they show chiral symmetry. A theory suggests that chiral symmetry must permit the contraction in one or more dimensions noted with most incommensurate materials, as well as with Pu phases.

It is suggested that there is another ICDW Pu phase (αI) below ～ 60 K, and that the γ-Pu phase (Fddd) must be a composite structure. Other Pu phases appear to be composite structures also. There is evidence for a new phase, or phase mixture, which appears reproducibly between the δ and γ phases only on a cooling cycle. It is infered that this is a reappearance of the δ' phase.

Published dilatometry, internal friction and relative shear modulus results appear to confirm both incommensurate and commensurate CDW states in Pu metal phases. It is suggested that CDWs may be playing a role in f-bonding in Pu metal and that CDWs and valence fluctuations may be manifestations of the same electronic behavior.     

Line group theory of commensurate and incommensurate modulations

It is shown that the line group formalism proposed is suitable to describe both commensurate and incommensurate modulations. Symmetry groups of modulated crystal lattices can completely be characterized by symmetry transformations existing in real space, without any application of the formalism based on reciprocal space. As typical examples of the method elaborated, the fundamental invariance and symmetry properties of spin density functions and the soliton lattice are determined. Received: 20 July 1997 / Accepted: 25 August 1997     

Symmetry and magnetic field driven transitions in the 2D triangular lattice compound RbFe(MoO4)2

The temperature versus magnetic field phase diagram of the 2D triangular lattice and multiferroic compound RbFe(MoO(4))(2) is analysed from the point of view of symmetry. The paramagnetic space group and its irreducible representations are used in order to obtain the magnetic symmetry of the possible modulated phases and characterize the restrictions imposed by this symmetry on the corresponding magnetic structures. Superspace symmetry is considered in the case of incommensurate phases. It is shown that the experimentally observed phases correspond to different isotropy subgroups originating in the same irreducible representation of the paramagnetic symmetry group. The relevant couplings between the primary transverse spin modulation and the electric polarization, the in-plane magnetization and the secondary longitudinal magnetic modulation are discussed. The mechanisms for the destabilization of the improper ferroelectric chiral phase and the origin of the different orientation of the spins with respect to the external field in the two collinear phases are analysed from a symmetry based perspective.     

Incommensurability in crystals

The aim of this review is to present aperiodic crystals from a unifying point of view, showing why it is justified to call them crystals, despite the lack of a three-dimensional lattice periodicity, and to discuss in what sense they differ from periodic crystals in structure, symmetry and other physical properties. The extension of the concept of crystal has been based, during the last two decades, on investigation of incommensurate crystal phases. Among these, the most important ones are the modulated crystals. Their crystallographic nature, already apparent in the diffraction pattern, could be made explicit on the symmetry level by embedding in a higher-dimensional Euclidean space. The recent discovery of quasicrystal phases (representing a fairly different class of aperiodic crystals than the modulated ones) can also be approached in a similar way. Furthermore, it now appears that another class of incommensurate crystals, the so-called composite structures, represents a kind of intermediate case between the other two.

In § 1 basic concepts are presented, together with a number of compounds given as illustration for typical incommensurate crystal phases. In § 2 we deal with the general formalism allowing a crystallographic symmetry characterization. It is intended as a first approach to crystal-structure determination, which justifies the emphasis on the diffraction pattern and on the modulated-crystal case. The appropriate generalization to the quasicrystal case is considered in § 3. The crystallographic nature of the incommensurate phases is apparent in their growth forms. It has been known for centuries that crystal morphology is essentially based on lattice periodicity. It is therefore fascinating to discover how nature solves the problem in the incommensurate crystal case; we discuss this in § 4. The origin of incommensurability is the subject of § 5 (on a phenomenological level) and of § 6 (on a microscopic level). In § 7 the basic concepts needed in crystal-structure determination are discussed in more detail than was appropriate in § 2. In § 8 we discuss those physical properties which are more closely related to incommensurability, fitting nevertheless into the general frame of crystal physics. In § 9 we deal with defects, again in particular with the additional ones due to the more complex structure of aperiodic crystals, making clear at the same time why defects play an even more important role than in periodic crystals.     

Cubic superspace symmetry and inflation rules in metastable MgAl alloy

The diffraction properties of a quenched Al-Mg alloy which has been recently termed as a “cubic quasicrystal” are quantitatively reanalyzed. It is shown that the phase can be interpreted within the superspace formalism as an ordinary incommensurately modulated structure. The cubic six-dimensional superspace group that describes its symmetry properties has been determined. The additional inflation symmetry features exhibited by the diffraction diagram can be summed up by its invariance for the inflation factor , but this property has its origin in the specific value of the modulus of the modulation wave vectors, which is composition dependent. Other particular values of this modulus can give rise to similar scaling properties. Further experiments are required to ellucidate if the mentioned inflation symmetry is a fortuitous situation in a composition dependent wave vector, or has indeed the physical significance which would allow to describe the system as a “cubic quasicrystal”. Received: 25 June 1998 / Received in final form and Accepted: 23 September 1998     

Commensurate incommensurate phase transitions

there are two types of Commensurate-Incommensurate Phase Transitions : t_I between the basic structure and the incommensurate phasis and t_L between the inc. phasis and the lock in phasis. They both have connected structures. So that, they must verify the relation between crystallographic groups in accordance with Landau's Theory. But we have to consider the three phases in the superspace - as we do at an ordered-disordered magnetic transition-because the inc. phasis ins't a crystal in the physical space; e.g., in order to cancel the “middle range order” of the inc. phasis at t_I, we are led to assume the grey (point) group to the basic structure in the superspace. Now both inc. phase and basic structure verify the connection between point-groups in the superspace in the same way as both para and ferro phases do at a ferroic transition in the physical space. We also show that the same type of relation is possible at t_L and we give the order parameter at both t_I and t_L.     

Structural phase transitions in ionic molecular solids

An overview is presented of our studies on the nature of structural instabilities in relatively complex ionic solids. These are based on parameter-free interionic potentials based on the Gordon-Kim modified electron gas formalism extended to molecular ions.

We describe the manner in which there emerge from these studies quite general concepts of “size” and “shape” as structural determinants. In particular, we discuss how these, and the approximate symmetries that they can produce, can provide a relatively simple structure-based explanation of the origins of incommensurate phases in these systems. However, we also emphasize that the existence of such symmetries does not guarantee an incommensurate phase. This can only be realized if long-range correlations are sufficiently strong to overcome random local disordering. Thus, either the molecular units are partially linked and/or there exist long-range Coulomb interactions between individual units.     

On the problem of spacetime symmetries in the theory of supergravity. III. Superspace formalism

The study of the problem of defining, in the theory of supergravity, the notion of a spacetime symmetry is continued. The connection with the formalism of superspace is explicitly considered, and the geometrical significance of the definition given in Parts I and II of this series of papers is emphasized.     

The BV Formalization of Chern-Simons Theory on Deformed Superspace

In this paper we will study non-abelian Chern-Simons theory on a deformed superspace. We will deform the superspace in such a way that it includes the noncommutativity between bosonic and fermionic coordinates. We will first analyse the BRST and the anti-BRST symmetries of the Chern-Simons theory on this deformed superspace. Then we will analyse the extended BRST and the extended anti-BRST symmetries of this theory in the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) formalism. Finally, we will express these extended BRST and extended anti-BRST symmetries in extended superspace formalism by introducing new Grassmann coordinates.     

Misfit-layered compound PbTiS3 with incommensurate modulation： Transmission electron microscopy analysis and transport properties

The microstructural characteristic of the misfit-layered compound PbTiS3 has been studied with transmission electron microscopy. All the incommensurate modulation-induced satellite spots and main diffraction spots of basic sublattices can be indexed systematically with a superspace group method. Finally, the relationship between the electronic transport properties and the crystal structure is discussed.     

The BV Formalization of Chern-Simons Theory on Deformed Superspace

In this paper we will study non-abelian Chern-Simons theory on a deformed superspace. We will deform the superspace in such a way that it includes the noncommutativity between bosonic and fermionic coordinates. We will first analyse the BRST and the anti-BRST symmetries of the Chern-Simons theory on this deformed superspace. Then we will analyse the extended BRST and the extended anti-BRST symmetries of this theory in the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) formalism. Finally, we will express these extended BRST and extended anti-BRST symmetries in extended superspace formalism by introducing new Grassmann coordinates.     

Incommensurate magnetic structures in rhombohedral Heisenberg antiferromagnet

The phase diagram of the ground state has been calculated for a rhombohedral antiferromagnet of the R3m symmetry with frustrated exchange in the base plane and competition of exchanges between the nearest and next-nearest planes. The diagram contains phases of collinear antiferromagnetic ordering of various types separated by five incommensurate magnetic states of the helicoidal type, differing in the ordering type and in the direction of the modulation vector. The commensurate and incommensurate phases converge at multi-critical points lying on a line corresponding to an antiferromagnet with an undistorted simple cubic lattice.     

Quantum Superconformal Symmetry in N = 2 Harmonic Superspace

In gauge theories, not all rigid symmetries of the classical action can be maintained manifestly in the quantization procedure, even in the absence of anomalies. If this occurs for an anomaly-free symmetry, the effective action is invariant under a transformation that differs from its classical counterpart by quantum corrections. In this note, we set up a harmonic superspace formalism for computing quantum deformations of superconformal symmetry in the N = 4 supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory.     

Interplay between symmetry breaking and quasiperiodicity in spin chains

Summary An isotropicXY spin chain is studied in the presence of symmetry-breaking perturbations and a periodic modulation with wave vector incommensurate with the periodicity of the chain. The ground states of the system are obtained in terms of a two-dimensional area-preserving map defined on a cylinder of finite extent. The spin distributions are found to exhibit KAM and Cantorus phases with the onset of transition being the critical phase. The relationship between these three phases and the magnetic properties of the model is also studied. The presence of two competing easy axes for spin alignment results in incommensurate reentrant phase diagram with fractal boundary.     

Magnetic inversion symmetry breaking and ferroelectricity in TbMnO3

TbMnO3 is an orthorhombic insulator where incommensurate spin order for temperature T(N)<41 K is accompanied by ferroelectric order for T<28 K. To understand this, we establish the magnetic structure above and below the ferroelectric transition using neutron diffraction. In the paraelectric phase, the spin structure is incommensurate and longitudinally modulated. In the ferroelectric phase, however, there is a transverse incommensurate spiral. We show that the spiral breaks spatial inversion symmetry and can account for magnetoelectricity in TbMnO3.     

Supergravity with and without superspace

We show that the superspace formalism follows from the component formalism. After constructing the supervielbeins and superconnections off-shell in second-order formalism with the minimal set of auxiliary fields, we show that the resulting supertorsions satisfy the constraints of the various equivalent superspace approaches.