General local convergence theory for a class of iterative processes and its applications to Newton’s method

General local convergence theorems with order of convergence r≥1$r\ge 1$ are provided for iterative processes of the type _xn+1=T_xn$x_{n+1}=T{x}_n$, where T:D⊂X→X$T:D\subset X\to X$ is an iteration function in a metric space X$X$. The new local convergence theory is applied to Newton iteration for simple zeros of nonlinear operators in Banach spaces as well as to Schröder iteration for multiple zeros of polynomials and analytic functions. The theory is also applied to establish a general theorem for the uniqueness ball of nonlinear equations in Banach spaces. The new results extend and improve some results of [K. Do?ev, Über Newtonsche Iterationen, C. R. Acad. Bulg. Sci. 36 (1962) 695–701; J.F. Traub, H. Wo?niakowski, Convergence and complexity of Newton iteration for operator equations, J. Assoc. Comput. Mach. 26 (1979) 250–258; S. Smale, Newton’s method estimates from data at one point, in: R.E. Ewing, K.E. Gross, C.F. Martin (Eds.), The Merging of Disciplines: New Direction in Pure, Applied, and Computational Mathematics, Springer, New York, 1986, pp. 185–196; P. Tilli, Convergence conditions of some methods for the simultaneous computation of polynomial zeros, Calcolo 35 (1998) 3–15; X.H. Wang, Convergence of Newton’s method and uniqueness of the solution of equations in Banach space, IMA J. Numer. Anal. 20 (2000) 123–134; I.K. Argyros, J.M. Gutiérrez, A unified approach for enlarging the radius of convergence for Newton’s method and applications, Nonlinear Funct. Anal. Appl. 10 (2005) 555–563; M. Giusti, G. Lecerf, B. Salvy, J.-C. Yakoubsohn, Location and approximation of clusters of zeros of analytic functions, Found. Comput. Math. 5 (3) (2005) 257–311], and others.     

Hopf-algebraic renormalization of QED in the linear covariant gauge

In the context of massless quantum electrodynamics (QED) with a linear covariant gauge fixing, the connection between the counterterm and the Hopf-algebraic approach to renormalization is examined. The coproduct formula of Green’s functions contains two invariant charges, which give rise to different renormalization group functions. All formulas are tested by explicit computations to third loop order. The possibility of a finite electron self-energy by fixing a generalized linear covariant gauge is discussed. An analysis of subdivergences leads to the conclusion that such a gauge only exists in quenched QED.     

Chiral symmetry breaking and vacuum structure in QCD

The solution of the axial U(1) problem, the role of the topology of the gauge group in forcing the breaking of axial symmetry in any irreducible representation of the observable algebra and the θ vacua structure are revisited in the temporal gauge with attention to the mathematical consistency of the derivations. Both realizations with strong and weak Gauss law are discussed; the control of the general mechanisms and structures is obtained on the basis of the localization of the (large) gauge transformations and the local generation of the chiral symmetry. The Schwinger model in the temporal gauge exactly reproduces the general results.     

Hadron spectroscopy and structure from AdS/CFT

The AdS/CFT correspondence between conformal field theory and string states in an extended space-time has provided new insights into not only hadron spectra, but also their light-front wave functions. We show that there is an exact correspondence between the fifth-dimensional coordinate of anti-de Sitter space z and a specific impact variable ζ which measures the separation of the constituents within the hadron in ordinary space-time. This connection allows one to predict the form of the light-front wave functions of mesons and baryons, the fundamental entities which encode hadron properties and scattering amplitudes. A new relativistic Schr?dinger light-front equation is found which reproduces the results obtained using the fifth-dimensional theory. Since they are complete and orthonormal, the AdS/CFT model wave functions can be used as an initial ansatz for a variational treatment or as a basis for the diagonalization of the light-front QCD Hamiltonian. A number of applications of light-front wave functions are also discussed.     

A holographic model of deconfinement and chiral symmetry restoration

We analyze the finite temperature behavior of the Sakai-Sugimoto model, which is a holographic dual of a theory which spontaneously breaks a U(N_f)_L × U(N_f)_R chiral flavor symmetry at zero temperature. The theory involved is a 4 + 1 dimensional supersymmetric SU(N_c) gauge theory compactified on a circle of radius R with anti-periodic boundary conditions for fermions, coupled to N_f left-handed quarks and N_f right-handed quarks which are localized at different points on the compact circle (separated by a distance L). In the supergravity limit which we analyze (corresponding in particular to the large N_c limit of the gauge theory), the theory undergoes a deconfinement phase transition at a temperature T_d = 1/2πR. For quark separations obeying L > L_c ? 0.97 ∗ R the chiral symmetry is restored at this temperature, but for L < L_c ? 0.97 ∗ R there is an intermediate phase which is deconfined with broken chiral symmetry, and the chiral symmetry is restored at T_χSB ? 0.154/L. All of these phase transitions are of first order.     

Proof of a universal lower bound on the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio

It has been conjectured, on the basis of the gauge-gravity duality, that the ratio of the shear viscosity to the entropy density should be universally bounded from below by 1/4π$1/4\pi$ in units of the Planck constant divided by the Boltzmann constant. Here, we prove the bound for any ghost-free extension of Einstein gravity and the field-theory dual thereof. Our proof is based on the fact that, for such an extension, any gravitational coupling can only increase from its Einstein value. Therefore, since the shear viscosity is a particular gravitational coupling, it is minimal for Einstein gravity. Meanwhile, we show that the entropy density can always be calibrated to its Einstein value. Our general principles are demonstrated for a pair of specific models, one with ghosts and one without.     

Geometry of the Aharonov–Bohm Effect

We show that the connection responsible for any Abelian or non-Abelian Aharonov–Bohm effect with n parallel “magnetic” flux lines in ℝ³, lies in a trivial G-principal bundle P→M, i.e. P is isomorphic to the product M×G, where G is any path connected topological group; in particular a connected Lie group. We also show that two other bundles are involved: the universal covering space , where path integrals are computed, and the associated bundle P× _G ℂ ^m →M, where the wave function and its covariant derivative are sections.     

Structure and protonation of some indolizine derivatives studied by ab initio MO calculations

Some gauge invariant atomic orbitals-coupled-perturbed Hartree-Fock (GIAO-CPHF) calculations were performed for seven indolizine derivatives and their monoprotonated forms. Chemical shift, molecular geometry, and charge distribution data are reported for each molecule. The calculations support the results of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy measurements showing that protonation occurs preferentially at N1. The good agreement between the calculated and observed ¹³C and ¹⁵N chemical shifts show that such calculations can be used for chemical shift assignment purposes. Cation structures and probable sites for electrophilic reaction or second protonation are also discussed.     

Multiphoton detachment from a zero-range potential revisited

Direct detachment of an electron bound by a regularized zero-range potential is reinvestigated. For the definition of the S-matrix amplitude for detachment, the wave function of the electron after the laser pulse has passed through is projected on an exact scattering state of the zero-range potential rather than a plane-wave state, which is normally used. The exact scattering state generates an additional contribution to the amplitude, which leads to an isotropic term in the angle-resolved energy spectrum.