A review of the decoherent histories approach to the arrival time problem in quantum theory

We review recent progress in understanding the arrival time problem in quantum mechanics, from the point of view of the decoherent histories approach to quantum theory. We begin by discussing the arrival time problem, focussing in particular on the role of the probability current in the expected classical solution. After a brief introduction to decoherent histories we review the use of complex potentials in the construction of appropriate class operators. We then discuss the arrival time problem for a particle coupled to an environment, and review how the arrival time probability can be expressed in terms of a POVM in this case. We turn finally to the question of decoherence of the corresponding histories, and we show that this can be achieved for simple states in the case of a free particle, and for general states for a particle coupled to an environment.Comment: 10 pages. To appear in DICE 2010 conference proceeding

The stochastic gravitational wave background from turbulence and magnetic fields generated by a first-order phase transition

We analytically derive the spectrum of gravitational waves due to magneto-hydrodynamical turbulence generated by bubble collisions in a first-order phase transition. In contrast to previous studies, we take into account the fact that turbulence and magnetic fields act as sources of gravitational waves for many Hubble times after the phase transition is completed. This modifies the gravitational wave spectrum at large scales. We also model the initial stirring phase preceding the Kolmogorov cascade, while earlier works assume that the Kolmogorov spectrum sets in instantaneously. The continuity in time of the source is relevant for a correct determination of the peak position of the gravitational wave spectrum. We discuss how the results depend on assumptions about the unequal-time correlation of the source and motivate a realistic choice for it. Our treatment gives a similar peak frequency as previous analyses but the amplitude of the signal is reduced due to the use of a more realistic power spectrum for the magneto-hydrodynamical turbulence. For a strongly first-order electroweak phase transition, the signal is observable with the space interferometer LISA.Comment: 46 pages, 17 figures. Replaced with revised version accepted for publication in JCA

Supersymmetric Axion-Neutrino Merger

The recently proposed supersymmetric $A_4$ model of the neutrino mass matrix is modified to merge with a previously proposed axionic solution of the strong CP problem. The resulting model has only one input scale, i.e. that of $A_4$ symmetry breaking, which determines both the seesaw neutrino mass scale and the axion decay constant. It also solves the $\mu$ problem and conserves R parity automatically.Comment: 7 pages, no figur

Antiproton constraints on dark matter annihilations from internal electroweak bremsstrahlung

If the dark matter particle is a Majorana fermion, annihilations into two fermions and one gauge boson could have, for some choices of the parameters of the model, a non-negligible cross-section. Using a toy model of leptophilic dark matter, we calculate the constraints on the annihilation cross-section into two electrons and one weak gauge boson from the PAMELA measurements of the cosmic antiproton-to-proton flux ratio. Furthermore, we calculate the maximal astrophysical boost factor allowed in the Milky Way under the assumption that the leptophilic dark matter particle is the dominant component of dark matter in our Universe. These constraints constitute very conservative estimates on the boost factor for more realistic models where the dark matter particle also couples to quarks and weak gauge bosons, such as the lightest neutralino which we also analyze for some concrete benchmark points. The limits on the astrophysical boost factors presented here could be used to evaluate the prospects to detect a gamma-ray signal from dark matter annihilations at currently operating IACTs as well as in the projected CTA.Comment: 32 pages; 13 figure

Alternative approach to b−>sγb->s \gamma in the uMSSM

The gluino contributions to the $C'_{7,8}$ Wilson coefficients for $b->s \gamma$ are calculated within the unconstrained MSSM. New stringent bounds on the $\delta^{RL}_{23}$ and $\delta^{RR}_{23}$ mass insertion parameters are obtained in the limit in which the SM and SUSY contributions to $C_{7,8}$ approximately cancel. Such a cancellation can plausibly appear within several classes of SUSY breaking models in which the trilinear couplings exhibit a factorized structure proportional to the Yukawa matrices. Assuming this cancellation takes place, we perform an analysis of the $b->s \gamma$ decay. We show that in a supersymmetric world such an alternative is reasonable and it is possible to saturate the $b->s \gamma$ branching ratio and produce a CP asymmetry of up to 20%, from only the gluino contribution to $C'_{7,8}$ coefficients. Using photon polarization a LR asymmetry can be defined that in principle allows for the $C_{7,8}$ and $C'_{7,8}$ contributions to the $b->s \gamma$ decay to be disentangled. In this scenario no constraints on the ``sign of $\mu$'' can be derived.Comment: LaTeX2e, 23 pages, 7 ps figure, needs package epsfi

Gluon mass generation in the PT-BFM scheme

In this article we study the general structure and special properties of the Schwinger-Dyson equation for the gluon propagator constructed with the pinch technique, together with the question of how to obtain infrared finite solutions, associated with the generation of an effective gluon mass. Exploiting the known all-order correspondence between the pinch technique and the background field method, we demonstrate that, contrary to the standard formulation, the non-perturbative gluon self-energy is transverse order-by-order in the dressed loop expansion, and separately for gluonic and ghost contributions. We next present a comprehensive review of several subtle issues relevant to the search of infrared finite solutions, paying particular attention to the role of the seagull graph in enforcing transversality, the necessity of introducing massless poles in the three-gluon vertex, and the incorporation of the correct renormalization group properties. In addition, we present a method for regulating the seagull-type contributions based on dimensional regularization; its applicability depends crucially on the asymptotic behavior of the solutions in the deep ultraviolet, and in particular on the anomalous dimension of the dynamically generated gluon mass. A linearized version of the truncated Schwinger-Dyson equation is derived, using a vertex that satisfies the required Ward identity and contains massless poles belonging to different Lorentz structures. The resulting integral equation is then solved numerically, the infrared and ultraviolet properties of the obtained solutions are examined in detail, and the allowed range for the effective gluon mass is determined. Various open questions and possible connections with different approaches in the literature are discussed.Comment: 54 pages, 24 figure

Closed String Field Theory with Dynamical D-brane

We consider a closed string field theory with an arbitrary matter current as a source of the closed string field. We find that the source must satisfy a constraint equation as a consequence of the BRST invariance of the theory. We see that it corresponds to the covariant conservation law for the matter current, and the equation of motion together with this constraint equation determines the classical behavior of both the closed string field and the matter. We then consider the boundary state (D-brane) as an example of a source. We see that the ordinary boundary state cannot be a source of the closed string field when the string coupling g turns on. By perturbative expansion, we derive a recursion relation which represents the bulk backreaction and the D-brane recoil. We also make a comment on the rolling tachyon boundary state.Comment: 30 pages, LaTeX2e, no figures. Typos are correcte

Higgs-Mediated tau --> mu and tau --> e transitions in II Higgs doublet Model and Supersymmetry

We study the phenomenology of the mu-tau and e-tau lepton flavour violation (LFV) in a general two Higgs Doublet Model (2HDM) including the supersymmetric case. We consider several LFV decay modes of the charged fermion tau, namely tau-> l_jgamma, tau->l_j l_k l_k and tau-> l_jeta. The predictions and the correlations among the rates of the above processes are computed. In particular, it is shown that tau->l_jgamma processes are the most sensitive channels to Higgs-mediated LFV specially if the splitting among the neutral Higgs bosons masses is not below the 10% level.Comment: v2=published version: 13 pages, 4 figures, text improved and reference added. Two loop effects (relevant for tau->l_jgamma) added. Conclusions unchange

Numerical loop quantum cosmology: an overview

A brief review of various numerical techniques used in loop quantum cosmology and results is presented. These include the way extensive numerical simulations shed insights on the resolution of classical singularities, resulting in the key prediction of the bounce at the Planck scale in different models, and the numerical methods used to analyze the properties of the quantum difference operator and the von Neumann stability issues. Using the quantization of a massless scalar field in an isotropic spacetime as a template, an attempt is made to highlight the complementarity of different methods to gain understanding of the new physics emerging from the quantum theory. Open directions which need to be explored with more refined numerical methods are discussed.Comment: 33 Pages, 4 figures. Invited contribution to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravity special issue on Non-Astrophysical Numerical Relativit

Recent advances in electronic structure theory and their influence on the accuracy of ab initio potential energy surfaces

Recent advances in electronic structure theory and the availability of high speed vector processors have substantially increased the accuracy of ab initio potential energy surfaces. The recently developed atomic natural orbital approach for basis set contraction has reduced both the basis set incompleteness and superposition errors in molecular calculations. Furthermore, full CI calculations can often be used to calibrate a CASSCF/MRCI approach that quantitatively accounts for the valence correlation energy. These computational advances also provide a vehicle for systematically improving the calculations and for estimating the residual error in the calculations. Calculations on selected diatomic and triatomic systems will be used to illustrate the accuracy that currently can be achieved for molecular systems. In particular, the F+H2 yields HF+H potential energy hypersurface is used to illustrate the impact of these computational advances on the calculation of potential energy surfaces