Symmetric Teleparallel Gravity: Some exact solutions and spinor couplings

In this paper we elaborate on the symmetric teleparallel gravity (STPG) written in a non-Riemannian spacetime with nonzero nonmetricity, but zero torsion and zero curvature. Firstly we give a prescription for obtaining the nonmetricity from the metric in a peculiar gauge. Then we state that under a novel prescription of parallel transportation of a tangent vector in this non-Riemannian geometry the autoparallel curves coincides with those of the Riemannian spacetimes. Subsequently we represent the symmetric teleparallel theory of gravity by the most general quadratic and parity conserving lagrangian with lagrange multipliers for vanishing torsion and curvature. We show that our lagrangian is equivalent to the Einstein-Hilbert lagrangian for certain values of coupling coefficients. Thus we arrive at calculating the field equations via independent variations. Then we obtain in turn conformal, spherically symmetric static, cosmological and pp-wave solutions exactly. Finally we discuss a minimal coupling of a spin-1/2 field to STPG.Comment: Accepted for publication in the International Journal of Modern Physics

Nonmetricity and torsion induced by dilaton gravity in two dimension

We develop a theory in which there are couplings amongst Dirac spinor, dilaton and non-Riemannian gravity and explore the nature of connection-induced dilaton couplings to gravity and Dirac spinor when the theory is reformulated in terms of the Levi-Civita connection. After presenting some exact solutions without spinors, we investigate the minimal spinor couplings to the model and in conclusion we can not find any nontrivial dilaton couplings to spinor.Comment: Added references, Accepted for publication in GR

Poisson-sigma model for 2D gravity with non-metricity

We present a Poisson-sigma model describing general 2D dilaton gravity with non-metricity, torsion and curvature. It involves three arbitrary functions of the dilaton field, two of which are well-known from metric compatible theories, while the third one characterizes the local strength of non-metricity. As an example we show that alpha' corrections in 2D string theory can generate (target space) non-metricity.Comment: 9 page

Long-term stability test of a triple GEM detector

The main aim of the study is to perform the long-term stability test of gain of the single mask triple GEM detector. A simple method is used for this long- term stability test using a radioactive X-ray source with high activity. The test is continued till accumulation of charge per unit area > 12.0 mC/mm2. The details of the chamber fabrication, the test set-up, the method of measurement and the test results are presented in this paper.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Spin light of neutrino in gravitational fields

We predict a new mechanism for the spin light of neutrino ($SL\nu$) that can be emitted by a neutrino moving in gravitational fields. This effect is studied on the basis of the quasiclassical equation for the neutrino spin evolution in a gravitational field. It is shown that the gravitational field of a rotating object, in the weak-field limit, can be considered as an axial vector external field which induces the neutrino spin procession. The corresponding probability of the neutrino spin oscillations in the gravitational field has been derived for the first time. The considered in this paper $SL\nu$ can be produced in the neutrino spin-flip transitions in gravitational fields. It is shown that the total power of this radiation is proportional to the neutrino gamma factor to the fourth power, and the emitted photon energy, for the case of an ultra relativistic neutrino, could span up to gamma-rays. We investigate the $SL\nu$ caused by both gravitational and electromagnetic fields, also accounting for effects of arbitrary moving and polarized matter, in various astrophysical environments. In particular, we discuss the $SL\nu$ emitted by a neutrino moving in the vicinity of a rotating neutron star, black hole surrounded by dense matter, as well as by a neutrino propagating in the relativistic jet from a quasar.Comment: 14 pages in LaTex with 1 eps figure; derivation of the neutrino spin oscillations probability in gravitational fields and several clarifying notes are added, typos correcte

Neutrino oscillations with disentanglement of a neutrino from its partners

We bring attention to the fact that in order to understand existing data on neutrino oscillations, and to design future experiments, it is imperative to appreciate the role of quantum entanglement. Once this is accounted for, the resulting energy-momentum conserving phenomenology requires a single new parameter related to disentanglement of a neutrino from its partners. This parameter may not be CP symmetric. We illustrate the new ideas, with potentially measurable effects, in the context of a novel experiment recently proposed by Gavrin, Gorbachev, Veretenkin, and Cleveland. The strongest impact of our ideas is on the resolution of various anomalies in neutrino oscillations and on neutrino propagation in astrophysical environments.Comment: 6 page

Contrasting levels of absorption of intense femtosecond laser pulses by solids

The absorption of ultraintense, femtosecond laser pulses by a solid unleashes relativistic electrons, thereby creating a regime of relativistic optics. This has enabled exciting applications of relativistic particle beams and coherent X-ray radiation, and fundamental leaps in high energy density science and laboratory astrophysics. Obviously, central to these possibilities lies the basic problem of understanding and if possible, manipulating laser absorption. Surprisingly, the absorption of intense light largely remains an open question, despite the extensive variations in target and laser pulse structures. Moreover, there are only few experimental measurements of laser absorption carried out under very limited parameter ranges. Here we present an extensive investigation of absorption of intense 30 femtosecond laser pulses by solid metal targets. The study, performed under varying laser intensity and contrast ratio over four orders of magnitude, reveals a significant and non-intuitive dependence on these parameters. For contrast ratio of 10-9 and intensity of 2 × 1019W cm-2, three observations are revealed: preferential acceleration of electrons along the laser axis, a ponderomotive scaling of electron temperature, and red shifting of emitted second-harmonic. These point towards the role of J × B absorption mechanism at relativistic intensity. The experimental results are supported by particle-in-cell simulations

String-Inspired Chern-Simons Modified Gravity In 4-Dimensions

Chern-Simons modified gravity models in 4-dimensions are shown to be special cases of low energy effective string models to first order in the string constant.Comment: To appear in the European Physics Journal