Finite-Time Blowup for the Inviscid Primitive Equations of Oceanic and Atmospheric Dynamics

In an earlier work we have shown the global (for all initial data and all time) well-posedness of strong solutions to the three-dimensional viscous primitive equations of large scale oceanic and atmospheric dynamics. In this paper we show that for certain class of initial data the corresponding smooth solutions of the inviscid (non-viscous) primitive equations, if they exist, they blow up in finite time. Specifically, we consider the three-dimensional inviscid primitive equations in a three-dimensional infinite horizontal channel, subject to periodic boundary conditions in the horizontal directions, and with no-normal flow boundary conditions on the solid, top and bottom boundaries. For certain class of initial data we reduce this system into the two-dimensional system of primitive equations in an infinite horizontal strip with the same type of boundary conditions; and then we show that for specific sub-class of initial data the corresponding smooth solutions of the reduced inviscid two-dimensional system develop singularities in finite time.     

The Effect of Finiteness in the Saffman–Taylor Viscous Fingering Problem

We derive a family of exact time-evolving solutions for the the evolution of a finite blob of fluid confined to a channel in a Hele–Shaw cell. We show rigorously that, for large fluid volume, there are solutions for which one of the interfaces approaches the steady Saffman–Taylor finger solution of arbitrary width λ∈(0, 1). On the basis of this, we argue that the far-field effects of a displaced second interface do not provide a selection mechanism for the formation of a width- $ \frac{1}{2} $ finger when surface tension, or any other regularization, is ignored.     

Existence of Néel Order in the S=1 Bilinear-Biquadratic Heisenberg Model via Random Loops

We consider integral geometry inverse problems for unitary connections and skew-Hermitian Higgs fields on manifolds with negative sectional curvature. The results apply to manifolds in any dimension, with or without boundary, and also in the presence of trapped geodesics. In the boundary case, we show injectivity of the attenuated ray transform on tensor fields with values in a Hermitian bundle (i.e., vector valued case). We also show that a connection and Higgs field on a Hermitian bundle are determined up to gauge by the knowledge of the parallel transport between boundary points along all possible geodesics. The main tools are an energy identity, the Pestov identity with a unitary connection, which is presented in a general form, and a precise analysis of the singularities of solutions of transport equations when there are trapped geodesics. In the case of closed manifolds, we obtain similar results modulo the obstruction given by twisted conformal Killing tensors, and we also study this obstruction.     

Effects of boundary conditions on spatially periodic states

We investigate analytically and numerically the influence of linear homogeneous boundary conditions on the stationary solutions of a simple model for cellular pattern formation in one dimension. For all boundary conditions there exists in a reduced wavenumber band at least one static solution where the amplitude falls below its bulk value near the boundary (“Type-I” solution). A linear stability analysis of the uniform state at threshold reveals that Type-I solutions are often unstable. Then there exists in the full Eckhaus-stable band, a static solution where the amplitude rises above its bulk value near the boundary (“Type-II” solution), or a limit-cycle solution where the amplitude near the boundary oscillates. These solutions bifurcate from the homogeneous state below the bulk threshold and therefore remain finite at threshold.     

Dynamics of and radiation from superconducting strings and springs

We present a detailed study of the dynamics of and radiation from superconducting strings. We derive an approximate local action for a current-carrying vortex line and present some exact solutions to its equation of motion. These include stable static “springs” and oscillating “kinky” loops. For one of these “kinky” loops we are able to calculate the radiation exactly, and find (in contrast to previous work) the result is finite. We also argue that the non-local electromagnetic self-interaction of a loop causes the kinks to slowly straighten out. Finally, we discuss the loss of current at “cusp-like” regions and show that the shrinking of loops generally leads to current loss rather than gain.     

Spectrum of local boundary operators from boundary form factor bootstrap

Using the recently introduced boundary form factor bootstrap equations, we map the complete space of their solutions for the boundary version of the scaling Lee–Yang model and sinh-Gordon theory. We show that the complete space of solutions, graded by the ultraviolet behaviour of the form factors can be brought into correspondence with the spectrum of local boundary operators expected from boundary conformal field theory, which is a major evidence for the correctness of the boundary form factor bootstrap framework.     

On orbifolds with discrete torsion

We consider the interpretation in classical geometry of conformal field theories constructed from orbifolds with discrete torsion. In examples we can analyze, these spacetimes contain “tringy regions” that from a classical point of view are singularities that are to be neither resolved nor blown up. Some of these models also give particularly simple and clear examples of mirror symmetry.     

A Well-Posed Numerical Method to Track Isolated Conformal Map Singularities in Hele-Shaw Flow

We present a new numerical method for calculating an evolving 2D Hele-Shaw interface when surface tension effects are neglected. In the case where the flow is directed from the less viscous fluid into the more viscous fluid, the motion of the interface is ill-posed; small deviations in the initial condition will produce significant changes in the ensuing motion. This situation is disastrous for numerical computation, as small roundoff errors can quickly lead to large inaccuracies in the computed solution. Our method of computation is most easily formulated using a conformal map from the fluid domain into a unit disk. The method relies on analytically continuing the initial data and equations of motion into the region exterior to the disk, where the evolution problem becomes well-posed. The equations are then numerically solved in the extended domain. The presence of singularities in the conformal map outside of the disk introduces specific structures along the fluid interface. Our method can explicitly track the location of isolated pole and branch point singularities, allowing us to draw connections between the development of interfacial patterns and the motion of singularities as they approach the unit disk. In particular, we are able to relate physical features such as finger shape, side-branch formation, and competition between fingers to the nature and location of the singularities. The usefulness of this method in studying the formation of topological singularities (self intersections of the interface) is also pointed out.     

Partially massless higher-spin theory II: one-loop effective actions

We continue our study of a generalization of the D-dimensional linearized Vasiliev higher-spin equations to include a tower of partially massless (PM) fields. We compute one-loop effective actions by evaluating zeta functions for both the “minimal” and “non-minimal” parity-even versions of the theory. Specifically, we compute the log-divergent part of the effective action in odd-dimensional Euclidean AdS spaces for D = 7 through 19 (dual to the a-type conformal anomaly of the dual boundary theory), and the finite part of the effective action in even-dimensional Euclidean AdS spaces for D = 4 through 8 (dual to the free energy on a sphere of the dual boundary theory). We pay special attention to the case D = 4, where module mixings occur in the dual field theory and subtlety arises in the one-loop computation. The results provide evidence that the theory is UV complete and one-loop exact, and we conjecture and provide evidence for a map between the inverse Newton’s constant of the partially massless higher-spin theory and the number of colors in the dual CFT.     

Semiclassical and quantum Liouville theory on the sphere

We solve the Riemann–Hilbert problem on the sphere topology for three singularities of finite strength and a fourth one infinitesimal, by determining perturbatively the Poincaré accessory parameters. In this way we compute the semiclassical four point vertex function with three finite charges and a fourth infinitesimal. Some of the results are extended to the case of n finite charges and m infinitesimal. With the same technique we compute the exact Green function on the sphere with three finite singularities. Turning to the full quantum problem we address the calculation of the quantum determinant on the background of three finite charges and the further perturbative corrections. The zeta function technique provides a theory which is not invariant under local conformal transformations. Instead by employing a regularization suggested in the case of the pseudosphere by Zamolodchikov and Zamolodchikov we obtain the correct quantum conformal dimensions from the one loop calculation and we show explicitly that the two loop corrections do not change such dimensions. We expect such a result to hold to all order perturbation theory.     

Collisions of Particles in Locally AdS Spacetimes II Moduli of Globally Hyperbolic Spaces

We investigate globally hyperbolic 3-dimensional AdS manifolds containing “particles”, i.e., cone singularities of angles less than 2π along a time-like graph Γ. To each such space (equipped with a time-like vector field satisfying some additional properties) we associate a graph and a finite family of pairs of hyperbolic surfaces with cone singularities. We show that this data is sufficient to recover the space locally (i.e., in the neighborhood of a fixed metric). This is a partial extension of a result of Mess for non-singular globally hyperbolic AdS manifolds.     

Aesthetic fields—Null theory

We have studied aesthetic field theory in the case where all invariants constructed from Γ _jk ⁱ and involving g _ij are zero. We studied such a “null” theory in 1972, but the cases we cited were plagued with singularities. By introducing complex fields the situation with respect to singularities improved. Complex fields are consistent with the basic “aesthetic principles” we outlined earlier. Within our null theory we see in two-dimensional spacetime a scattering of particles that was more involved than what we had seen before (regardless of dimensions). We see creation and annihilation of particles out of the vacuum. We also see a three-particle system within a small region of spacetime. In three spacetime dimensions we see a bound two-particle system. Another solution suggests a bound three-particle system. As well as we can tell the particles stay together (confinement) and do not give problems with attenuation. We observe in three dimensions one of the bound systems moving along a definite path in time. The four-dimensional spacetime results are not clear at this point. Whether “topological” bound systems of three particles exist has yet to be determined. A map in the four-dimensional case indicates a planar three maxminima confluence and the suggestion of a second such confluence.     

On complex singularities of the 2D Euler equation at short times

We present a study of complex singularities of a two-parameter family of solutions for the two-dimensional Euler equation with periodic boundary conditions and initial conditions in the short-time asymptotic régime. As has been shown numerically in Pauls et al. [W. Pauls, T. Matsumoto, U. Frisch, J. Bec, Nature of complex singularities for the 2D Euler equation, Physica D 219 (2006) 40-59], the type of the singularities depends on the angle ? between the modes p and q. Thus, the Fourier coefficients of the solutions decrease as with the exponent α depending on ?. Here we show for the two particular cases of ? going to zero and to π that the type of the singularities can be determined very accurately, being characterised by α=5/2 and α=3 respectively. In these two cases we are also able to determine the subdominant corrections. Furthermore, we find that the geometry of the singularities in these two cases is completely different, the singular manifold being located “over” different points in the real domain.     

Multi-cut solutions of Laplacian growth

A new class of solutions to Laplacian growth (LG) with zero surface tension is presented and shown to contain all other known solutions as special or limiting cases. These solutions, which are time-dependent conformal maps with branch cuts inside the unit circle, are governed by a nonlinear integral equation and describe oil fjords with non-parallel walls in viscous fingering experiments in Hele-Shaw cells. Integrals of motion for the multi-cut LG solutions in terms of singularities of the Schwarz function are found, and the dynamics of densities (jumps) on the cuts are derived. The subclass of these solutions with linear Cauchy densities on the cuts of the Schwarz function is of particular interest, because in this case the integral equation for the conformal map becomes linear. These solutions can also be of physical importance by representing oil/air interfaces, which form oil fjords with a constant opening angle, in accordance with recent experiments in a Hele-shaw cell.     

Wave propagation according to higher order field equations I

A detailed study is made of wave propagation according to a sixth-order partial differential equation with complex masses proposed by Swieca and Marques, which presents a kind of generalized Klein-Gordon equation. The choice of definite Green's functions in the corresponding Yang-Feldman integral equation corresponds to a certain choice of boundary conditions for the allowed solutions of the corresponding partial differential equation. The advanced and retarded Green's functions used possess the anomalous feature of having non-zero values in the neighbourhoods of those, past or future parts of the light cone, for which traditional advanced and retarded Green's functions are zero. However, it is shown that a suitable averaging procedure provides the possibility of defining sets of functions, such that solutions of the Yang-Feldman equations belonging to this set possess the property that the future behaviour of the solution is determined by its asymptotic initial conditions. Certain features of the wave propagation, according to the equations considered, can be usefully compared with the properties of the solutions of the ordinary differential equation - and corresponding integral equation - which represents the equation of motion of a charged particle including the force for radiation reaction. The particle then has a certain “size”. Analogously the “non-local field equations” have solutions characterized by a certain “fundamental length” indicating the space-time distances for which averaging occurs. The admitted solutions of the field equations seem to represent a relativistic field with a “finite a number of degrees of freedom” within a finite volume.     

Gravitational fields near space-like and null infinity

Near space-like infinity an initial value problem for the conformal Einstein equations is formulated such that: (i) the data and equations are regular, (ii) space-like and null infinity have a finite representation, with their structure and location known a priori, and (iii) the setting relies entirely on general properties of conformal structures.A first analysis of this problem shows that the solutions develop in general a certain type of logarithmic singularity at the set where null infinity touches space-like infinity. These singularities form an intrinsic part of the solutions' conformal structure. Conditions on the free initial data near space-like infinity are derived which ensure that for solutions developing from these data singularities of this type cannot occur.     

Casimir terms and shape instabilities for two-dimensional critical systems

We calculate the universal part of the free energy of certain finite two-dimensional regions at criticality by use of conformal field theory. Two geometries are considered: a section of a circle (“pie slice”) of angle ? and a helical staircase of finite angular (and radial) extent. We derive some consequences for certain matrix elements of the transfer matrix and corner transfer matrix. We examine the total free energy, including non-universal edge free energy terms, in both cases. A new, general, Casimir instability toward sharp corners on the boundary is found; other new instability behavior is investigated. We show that at constant area and edge length, the rectangle is unstable against small curvature.     

Phase-field modeling of growth pattern selections in three-dimensional channels

In this paper, the anisotropic crystal growth in three-dimensional channels was studied using a thin-interface phase-field model. Different growth modes and dynamics behaviours, including planar front, stationary symmetrical single finger, oscillatory symmetrical single finger and multiple-finger structure, have been observed as the undercooling is increased. Lower boundary of undercooling for symmetrical single finger results from the tip-widening while the upper boundary results from the tip-splitting instability. Results show that the existence range of the symmetrical single finger depends on crystalline anisotropy, channel size and dimensionality. Moreover, an oscillatory instability, involving tip velocity and tip radius oscillations, was evidenced when the undercooling is close to but below the upper boundary. We found that the oscillatory symmetrical single finger strongly depends on the channel size and the crystalline anisotropy. Mechanism of the oscillatory mode has been discussed in details.     

Exact solutions of Einstein-conformal scalar equations

The massless scalar field which satisfies a conformally invariant equation is in some respects more interesting than the ordinary one. Unfortunately, few, if any, exact solutions of Einstein's equations for a conformal scalar stress-energy have appeared previously. Here we present a theorem by means of which one can generate two Einstein-conformal scalar solutions from a single Einstein-ordinary scalar solution (of which many are known). As an example we show how to obtain Weyl-like solutions with a conformal scalar field. We obtain and analyze in some detail two families of spherically symmetric static Einstein-conformal scalar solutions. We also exhibit a family of static spherically symmetric Einstein-Maxwell-conformal scalar solutions (parametrized by both electric and scalar charge), which have black-hole geometries but are not genuine black holes. Finally, we present all the Robertson-Walker cosmological models which contain both incoherent radiation and a homogeneous conformal scalar field. One class of these represents open universes which bounce and never pass through a singular state; they circumvent the “singularity theorems” by violating the energy condition.     

Classical and quantum models of strong cosmic censorship

The cosmic censorship conjecture states that naked singularities should not evolve from regular initial conditions in general relativity. In its strong form the conjecture asserts that space-times with Cauchy horizons must always be unstable and thus that thegeneric solution of Einstein's equations must be inextendible beyond its maximal Cauchy development. In this paper we shall show that one can construct an infinite-dimensional family ofextendible cosmological solutions similar to Taub-NUT space-time. However, we shall also show that each of these solutions is unstable in precisely the way demanded by strong cosmic censorship. Finally we show that quantum fluctuations in the metric always provide (though in an unexpectedly subtle way) the “generic perturbations” which destroy the Cauchy horizons in these models.