Abelian lattice gauge theories in 3 + 1 dimensions: The linked cluster approach

We use the linked cluster expansion methods of Nickel to derive strong couping series for Z_N abelian gauge theories. These new results together with corresponding estimates using the exact linked cluster expansion algorithm are analysed and compared with previously obtained results for U(1) lattice gauge theory in 3 + 1 dimensions. We confirm the phase structure of these theories as found by other techniques. The critical value of N at which the phase structure of Z_N alters is estimated to be N_C = 4.5 ± 0.2. In each case the string tension estimates using the ELCE algorithm are found to be stable in the presence of a roughening transition.     

Review of electrolytic conductance standards

Measurements of aqueous electrolytic conductance are performed routinely in a variety of disciplines and industries. Conductivity is a measure of the ionic content in solution and thus has applications in pharmaceuticals, power plants, rainwater, lake surveys, and oceanography, to name a few. A thorough review of the measurement of and standards for aqueous electrolytic conductance is herein presented. At present, the most precise and accurate standards have been set forth by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), and have been adopted by most other standards organizations. However, the uncertainty assigned to these standards, especially the secondary standards, is somewhat larger than would be expected from the physical aspects of the measurement. Several changes in the units and measurement scales, including temperature, volume, molar mass, resistance, and concentration obfuscate the accuracy of these standards. In addition to the review, research is proposed, using a conductance cell with variable length, to establish new standards for aqueous electrolytic conductance.     

SU(2) Lattice gauge theory in (2+1)D

Cluster expansion methods are applied to theSU(2) lattice gauge model in (2+1) dimensions. Strong-coupling series are calculated for the vacuum energy per site, the axial string tension, and the scalar mass gap; while ELCE approximants are used to estimate the string tension beyond its roughening transition. The simple scaling behaviour expected of this super-renormalizable theory is clearly seen, and we estimate that in the continuum limit the string tension σ～(0.14±0.01)g ⁴, while the mass gapM _s ～(2.2±0.25)g ². More accurate Monte Carlo simulations are needed to check the universality between the Hamiltonian and Euclidean versions of this model.     

Dielectric properties of a mixture of dipolar hard spheres

A theory for the dielectric constant, ε, of a fluid mixture of dipolar hard spheres is formulated by generalizing the methods developed by Ramshaw and Wertheim for the pure fluid case. The resulting expression for ε depends on the pair distribution functions, g _αβ(r ₁, θ₁, r ₂, θ₂) for a dipolar mixture. Due to the unavailability of exact representations for these dipolar pair distribution functions, the results of the mean spherical approximation are employed in the formalism developed. Numerical results are given for ε as calculated from the pair distribution functions for a spherical volume of macroscopic dimensions. The compositional dependence of the ε obtained in this way for a specific mixture is compared with the corresponding properties of the well established theories of Clausius-Mossotti-Debye and Onsager. In addition, the relative importance of the dipole moment and size of the hard sphere parameters in determining ε for a dipolar mixture (the correlative behaviour of which is described by the mean spherical approximation) is evaluated. It is found that the differences in hard core diameters can be largely ignored, in that ε for an ‘effective’ single component fluid can be given to within 2–5 per cent relative error (at worst) of the mean spherical approximation's result. Such an ‘effective pure fluid’ is described as having the same polarization content as the actual mixture being considered. Thereby, the properties of the effective fluid are determined by the quantity y = 4πβ(m ₁ ² ρ₁ + m ₂ ² ρ₂)/9 where m_i and ρ _i are the dipole moment and number density of component i in the binary mixture, with β = (kT)^-1.     

A simple enantioselective route toward (R)- and (S)-Rolipram via anhydride desymmetrization

A highly enantioselective metal-free synthesis of both enantiomers of Rolipram is reported. The key stereoinductive step is a cinchona alkaloid catalyzed opening of a cyclic anhydride prepared from isovanillin, where both enantiomers are available using the same chiral catalyst in two protocols. An extended one-pot Curtius sequence provides the lactam directly from the desymmetrization product after enrichment in high yield and excellent ee.     

Symmetry breaking in the collinear phase of the J1-J2 Heisenberg model

The large J2 limit of the square-lattice J1-J2 Heisenberg antiferromagnet is a classic example of order by disorder where quantum fluctuations select a collinear ground state. Here, we use series expansion methods and a mean-field spin-wave theory to study the excitation spectra in this phase and look for a finite-temperature Ising-like transition, corresponding to a broken symmetry of the square lattice, as first proposed by Chandra et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 64, 88 (1990)]]. We find that the spectra reveal the symmetries of the ordered phase. However, we do not find evidence for a finite-T transition. We suggest a scenario for a T=0 transition based on quantum fluctuations.     

SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in (1 + 1) dimensions: A finite-lattice approach

Finite-lattice methods are used to calculate the masses of the lowest-lying baryon and meson states in the two-dimensional SU(2) Yang-Mills theory. No sign of a phase transition is seen at non-zero quark mass m. Both the meson and baryon mass vanish at m = 0: this is presumably a “chiral protection” mechanism.