Solving M-theory with the Conformal Bootstrap

We use the conformal bootstrap to perform a precision study of 3d maximally supersymmetric ($\mathcal{N}=8$) SCFTs that describe the IR physics on $N$ coincident M2-branes placed either in flat space or at a \C^4/\Z_2 singularity. First, using the explicit Lagrangians of ABJ(M) \cite{Aharony:2008ug,Aharony:2008gk} and recent supersymmetric localization results, we calculate certain half and quarter-BPS OPE coefficients, both exactly at small $N$, and approximately in a large $N$ expansion that we perform to all orders in $1/N$. Comparing these values with the numerical bootstrap bounds leads us to conjecture that some of these theories obey an OPE coefficient minimization principle. We then use this conjecture as well as the extremal functional method to reconstruct the first few low-lying scaling dimensions and OPE coefficients for both protected and unprotected multiplets that appear in the OPE of two stress tensor multiplets for all values of $N$. We also calculate the half and quarter-BPS operator OPE coefficients in the $SU(2)_k \times SU(2)_{-k}$ BLG theory for all values of the Chern-Simons coupling $k$, and show that generically they do not obey the same OPE coefficient minimization principle.Comment: 30 pages, 5 figures, v2 submitted for publicatio

Emergence of Periodic Structure from Maximizing the Lifetime of a Bound State Coupled to Radiation

Consider a system governed by the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation in its ground state. When subjected to weak (size $\epsilon$) parametric forcing by an "ionizing field" (time-varying), the state decays with advancing time due to coupling of the bound state to radiation modes. The decay-rate of this metastable state is governed by {\it Fermi's Golden Rule}, $\Gamma[V]$, which depends on the potential $V$ and the details of the forcing. We pose the potential design problem: find $V_{opt}$ which minimizes $\Gamma[V]$ (maximizes the lifetime of the state) over an admissible class of potentials with fixed spatial support. We formulate this problem as a constrained optimization problem and prove that an admissible optimal solution exists. Then, using quasi-Newton methods, we compute locally optimal potentials. These have the structure of a truncated periodic potential with a localized defect. In contrast to optimal structures for other spectral optimization problems, our optimizing potentials appear to be interior points of the constraint set and to be smooth. The multi-scale structures that emerge incorporate the physical mechanisms of energy confinement via material contrast and interference effects. An analysis of locally optimal potentials reveals local optimality is attained via two mechanisms: (i) decreasing the density of states near a resonant frequency in the continuum and (ii) tuning the oscillations of extended states to make $\Gamma[V]$, an oscillatory integral, small. Our approach achieves lifetimes, $\sim (\epsilon^2\Gamma[V])^{-1}$, for locally optimal potentials with $\Gamma^{-1}\sim\mathcal{O}(10^{9})$ as compared with $\Gamma^{-1}\sim \mathcal{O}(10^{2})$ for a typical potential. Finally, we explore the performance of optimal potentials via simulations of the time-evolution.Comment: 33 pages, 6 figure

A New Duality Between N=8\mathcal{N}=8 Superconformal Field Theories in Three Dimensions

We propose a new duality between two 3d $\mathcal{N}=8$ superconformal Chern-Simons-matter theories: the $U(3)_1 \times U(3)_{-1}$ ABJM theory and a theory consisting of the product between the $\left(SU(2)_3\times SU(2)_{-3}\right)/\mathbb{Z}_2$ BLG theory and a free ${\cal N} = 8$ theory of eight real scalars and eight Majorana fermions. As evidence supporting this duality, we show that the moduli spaces, superconformal indices, $S^3$ partition functions, and certain OPE coefficients of BPS operators in the two theories agree.Comment: 29 pages, 2 figure

Hardy-Carleman Type Inequalities for Dirac Operators

General Hardy-Carleman type inequalities for Dirac operators are proved. New inequalities are derived involving particular traditionally used weight functions. In particular, a version of the Agmon inequality and Treve type inequalities are established. The case of a Dirac particle in a (potential) magnetic field is also considered. The methods used are direct and based on quadratic form techniques

On thin plate spline interpolation

We present a simple, PDE-based proof of the result [M. Johnson, 2001] that the error estimates of [J. Duchon, 1978] for thin plate spline interpolation can be improved by $h^{1/2}$. We illustrate that ${\mathcal H}$-matrix techniques can successfully be employed to solve very large thin plate spline interpolation problem

Conforming finite element methods for the clamped plate problem

Finite element methods for solving biharmonic boundary value problems are considered. The particular problem discussed is that of a clamped thin plate. This problem is reformulated in a weak, form in the Sobolev space Techniques for setting up conforming trial Functions are utilized in a Galerkin technique to produce finite element solutions. The shortcomings of various trial function formulations are discussed, and a macro—element approach to local mesh refinement using rectangular elements is given

Sobolev Inequalities for Differential Forms and Lq,pL_{q,p}-cohomology

We study the relation between Sobolev inequalities for differential forms on a Riemannian manifold $(M,g)$ and the $L_{q,p}$-cohomology of that manifold. The $L_{q,p}$-cohomology of $(M,g)$ is defined to be the quotient of the space of closed differential forms in $L^p(M)$ modulo the exact forms which are exterior differentials of forms in $L^q(M)$.Comment: This paper has appeared in the Journal of Geometric Analysis, (only minor changes have been made since verion 1

On the existence of initial data containing isolated black holes

We present a general construction of initial data for Einstein's equations containing an arbitrary number of black holes, each of which is instantaneously in equilibrium. Each black hole is taken to be a marginally trapped surface and plays the role of the inner boundary of the Cauchy surface. The black hole is taken to be instantaneously isolated if its outgoing null rays are shear-free. Starting from the choice of a conformal metric and the freely specifiable part of the extrinsic curvature in the bulk, we give a prescription for choosing the shape of the inner boundaries and the boundary conditions that must be imposed there. We show rigorously that with these choices, the resulting non-linear elliptic system always admits solutions.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, RevTeX

Magnetic calculus and semiclassical trace formulas

The aim of these notes is to show how the magnetic calculus developed in \cite{MP, IMP1, IMP2, MPR, LMR} permits to give a new information on the nature of the coefficients of the expansion of the trace of a function of the magnetic Schr\"odinger operator whose existence was established in \cite{HR2}

Kinetics and mechanism of proton transport across membrane nanopores

We use computer simulations to study the kinetics and mechanism of proton passage through a narrow-pore carbon-nanotube membrane separating reservoirs of liquid water. Free energy and rate constant calculations show that protons move across the membrane diffusively in single-file chains of hydrogen-bonded water molecules. Proton passage through the membrane is opposed by a high barrier along the effective potential, reflecting the large electrostatic penalty for desolvation and reminiscent of charge exclusion in biological water channels. At neutral pH, we estimate a translocation rate of about 1 proton per hour and tube.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure