Pohlmeyer reduction for superstrings in AdS space

The Pohlmeyer reduced equations for strings moving only in the AdS subspace of AdS_5 x S^5 have been used recently in the study of classical Euclidean minimal surfaces for Wilson loops and some semiclassical three-point correlation functions. We find an action that leads to these reduced superstring equations. For example, for a bosonic string in AdS_n such an action contains a Liouville scalar part plus a K/K gauged WZW model for the group K=SO(n-2) coupled to another term depending on two additional fields transforming as vectors under K. Solving for the latter fields gives a non-abelian Toda model coupled to the Liouville theory. For n=5 we generalize this bosonic action to include the S^5 contribution and fermionic terms. The corresponding reduced model for the AdS_2 x S^2 truncation of the full AdS_5 x S^5 superstring turns out to be equivalent to N=2 super Liouville theory. Our construction is based on taking a limit of the previously found reduced theory actions for bosonic strings in AdS_n x S^1 and superstrings in AdS_5 x S^5. This new action may be useful as a starting point for possible quantum generalizations or deformations of the classical Pohlmeyer-reduced theory. We give examples of simple extrema of this reduced superstring action which represent strings moving in the AdS_5 part of the space. Expanding near these backgrounds we compute the corresponding fluctuation spectra and show that they match the spectra found in the original superstring theory.Comment: 54 pages; v2: 57 pages, added various comments, references and a new subsection on N=2 super Liouville theory as reduced model for the AdS2 x S2 superstring; v3: reference added and typo correcte

Type IIB supergravity solution for the T-dual of the eta-deformed AdS_5 x S^5 superstring

We find an exact type IIB supergravity solution that represents a one-parameter deformation of the T-dual of the AdS_5 x S^5 background (with T-duality applied in all 6 abelian bosonic isometric directions). The non-trivial fields are the metric, dilaton and RR 5-form only. The latter has remarkably simple "undeformed" form when written in terms of a "deformation-rotated" vielbein basis. An unusual feature of this solution is that the dilaton contains a linear dependence on the isometric coordinates of the metric precluding a straightforward reversal of T-duality. If we still formally dualize back, we find exactly the metric, B-field and product of dilaton with RR field strengths as recently extracted from the eta-deformed AdS_5 x S^5 superstring action in arXiv:1507.04239. We also discuss similar solutions for deformed AdS_n x S^n backgrounds with n=2,3. In the eta -> i limit we demonstrate that all these backgrounds can be interpreted as special limits of gauged WZW models and are also related to (a limit of) the Pohlmeyer-reduced models of the AdS_n x S^n superstrings.Comment: 20 pages; v2: minor comments and clarifications added; v3: 21 pages, minor comments and references adde

Type IIB supergravity solution for the T-dual of the eta-deformed AdS_5 x S^5 superstring

We find an exact type IIB supergravity solution that represents a one-parameter deformation of the T-dual of the AdS_5 x S^5 background (with T-duality applied in all 6 abelian bosonic isometric directions). The non-trivial fields are the metric, dilaton and RR 5-form only. The latter has remarkably simple "undeformed" form when written in terms of a "deformation-rotated" vielbein basis. An unusual feature of this solution is that the dilaton contains a linear dependence on the isometric coordinates of the metric precluding a straightforward reversal of T-duality. If we still formally dualize back, we find exactly the metric, B-field and product of dilaton with RR field strengths as recently extracted from the eta-deformed AdS_5 x S^5 superstring action in arXiv:1507.04239. We also discuss similar solutions for deformed AdS_n x S^n backgrounds with n=2,3. In the eta -> i limit we demonstrate that all these backgrounds can be interpreted as special limits of gauged WZW models and are also related to (a limit of) the Pohlmeyer-reduced models of the AdS_n x S^n superstrings.Comment: 20 pages; v2: minor comments and clarifications added; v3: 21 pages, minor comments and references adde

IR Dust Bubbles: Probing the Detailed Structure and Young Massive Stellar Populations of Galactic HII Regions

We present an analysis of wind-blown, parsec-sized, mid-infrared bubbles and associated star-formation using GLIMPSE/IRAC, MIPSGAL/MIPS and MAGPIS/VLA surveys. Three bubbles from the Churchwell et al. (2006) catalog were selected. The relative distribution of the ionized gas (based on 20 cm emission), PAH emission (based on 8 um, 5.8 um and lack of 4.5 um emission) and hot dust (24 um emission) are compared. At the center of each bubble there is a region containing ionized gas and hot dust, surrounded by PAHs. We identify the likely source(s) of the stellar wind and ionizing flux producing each bubble based upon SED fitting to numerical hot stellar photosphere models. Candidate YSOs are also identified using SED fitting, including several sites of possible triggered star formation.Comment: 37 pages, 17 figure

Subtyping somatic tinnitus: a cross-sectional UK cohort study of demographic, clinical and audiological characteristics

Somatic tinnitus is the ability to modulate the psychoacoustic features of tinnitus by somatic manoeuvres. The condition is still not fully understood and further identification of this subtype is essential, particularly for the purpose of establishing protocols for both its diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of somatic tinnitus within a large UK cohort using a largely unselected sample. We believe this to be relatively unique in comparison to current literature on the topic. This was investigated by using a total of 608 participant assessments from a set of recognised tinnitus and audiology measures. Results from a set of chi-square tests of association found that amongst the individuals with somatic tinnitus, a higher proportion had pulsatile tinnitus (different from heartbeat), were under the age of 40, reported variation in the loudness of their tinnitus and reported temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. The same pattern of results was confirmed using a multivariate analysis of the data based on logistic regression. These findings have strong implications towards the profiling of somatic tinnitus as a distinct subtype of general tinnitus