arXiv subjects

A. P. Balachandran

Publications and source records attributed to A. P. Balachandran.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Localisation in Quantum Field Theory

In nonrelatistic quantum mechanics, Born's principle of localistion is as follows: For a single particle, if a wave function $ψ_K$ vanishes outside a spatial region $K$, it is said to be localised in $K$. In particular if a spatial region $K'$ is disjoint from $K$, a wave function $ψ_{K'}$ localised in $K'$ is orthogonal to $ψ_K$. Such a principle of localisation does not exist compatibly with relativity and causality in quantum field theory (Newton and Wigner) or interacting point particles (Currie,Jordan and Sudarshan).It is replaced by symplectic localisation of observables as shown by Brunetti, Guido and Longo, Schroer and others. This localisation gives a simple derivation of the spin-statistics theorem and the Unruh effect, and shows how to construct quantum fields for anyons and for massless particles with `continuous' spin. This review outlines the basic principles underlying symplectic localisation and shows or mentions its deep implications. In particular, it has the potential to affect relativistic quantum information theory and black hole physics.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Glueball Spectra from a Matrix Model of Pure Yang-Mills Theory

We present variational estimates for the low-lying energies of a simple matrix model that approximates $SU(3)$ Yang-Mills theory on a three-sphere of radius $R$. By fixing the ground state energy, we obtain the (integrated) renormalization group (RG) equation for the Yang-Mills coupling $g$ as a function of $R$. This RG equation allows to estimate the masses of other glueball states, which we find to be in excellent agreement with lattice simulations.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Equations of Motion as Covariant Gauss Law: The Maxwell-Chern-Simons Case

Time-independent gauge transformations are implemented in the canonical formalism by the Gauss law which is not covariant. The covariant form of Gauss law is conceptually important for studying asymptotic properties of the gauge fields. For QED in $3+1$ dimensions, we have developed a formalism for treating the equations of motion (EOM) themselves as constraints, that is, constraints on states using Peierls' quantization. They generate spacetime dependent gauge transformations. We extend these results to the Maxwell-Chern-Simons (MCS) Lagrangian. The surprising result is that the covariant Gauss law commutes with all observables: the gauge invariance of the Lagrangian gets trivialized upon quantization. The calculations do not fix a gauge. We also consider a novel gauge condition on test functions (not on quantum fields) which we name the "quasi-self-dual gauge" condition. It explicitly shows the mass spectrum of the theory. In this version, no freedom remains for the gauge transformations: EOM commute with all observables and are in the center of the algebra of observables.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Gauge Theories and Fibre Bundles - Applications to Particle Dynamics

The underlying mathematical structures of gauge theories are known to be geometrical in nature and the local and global features of this geometry have been studied for a long time in mathematics under the name of fibre bundles. It is now understood that the global properties of gauge theories can have a profound influence on physics. For example, instantons and monopoles are both consequences of properties of geometry in the large, and the former can lead to, e.g., CP-violation, while the latter can lead to such remarkable results as the creation of fermions out of bosons. Some familiarity with global differential geometry and fibre bundles seems therefore very desirable to a physicist who works with gauge theories. One of the purposes of the present work is to introduce the physicist to these disciplines using simple examples.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Equations of Motion as Constraints: Superselection Rules, Ward Identities

The meaning of local observables is poorly understood in gauge theories, not to speak of quantum gravity. As a step towards a better understanding we study asymptotic (infrared) transformation in local quantum physics. Our observables are smeared by test functions, at first vanishing at infinity. In this context we show that the equations of motion can be seen as constraints, which generate a group, the group of space and time dependent gauge transformations.This is one of the main points of the paper. Infrared nontrivial effects are captured allowing test functions which do not vanish at infinity. These extended operators generate a larger group. The quotient of the two groups generate superselection sectors, which differentiate different infrared sectors. The BMS group changes the superselection sector, a result long known for its Lorentz subgroup. It is hence spontaneously broken. Ward identities implied by the gauge invariance of the S-matrix generalize the standard results and lead to charge conservation and low energy theorems. Their validity does not require Lorentz invariance.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Edge States at Phase Boundaries and Their Stability

We analyse the effects of Robin boundary conditions on quantum field theories of spin 0, 1 and 1/2. In particular, we show that these conditions always lead to the appearance of edge states that play a significant role in quantum Hall effect and topological insulators. We prove in a rigorous way the existence of spectral lower bounds on the kinetic term of the Hamiltonian, which guarantees the stability and consistency of massive field theories when the mass is larger than the lower bound of the kinetic term. We also find an upper bound for the deepest edge state. The explicit dependence of both bounds on the boundary conditions and the size of the system is derived under very general conditions. For fermionic systems we analyse the case of Atiyah-Patodi-Singer and chiral bag boundary conditions. We point out the existence of edge states also in these cases and show that they disappear for small enough systems. Stability is granted in this case.

math-ph↗

arXiv2016

BRST Symmetry: Boundary Conditions and Edge States in QED

In manifolds with spatial boundary, BRST formalism can be used to quantize gauge theories. We show that, in a $U(1)$ gauge theory, only a subset of all the boundary conditions allowed by the self-adjointness of the Hamiltonian preserves BRST symmetry. Hence, the theory can be quantized using BRST formalism only when that subset of boundary conditions is considered. We also show that for such boundary conditions, there exist fermionic states which are localized near the boundary.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

QCD Breaks Lorentz Invariance and Colour

In a previous work [1], we have argued that the algebra of non-abelian superselection rules is spontaneously broken to its maximal abelian subalgebra, that is, the algebra generated by its completing commuting set (the two Casimirs and a basis of its Cartan subalgebra). In this paper, alternative arguments confirming these results are presented. In addition, Lorentz invariance is shown to be broken in QCD, just as it is in QED. The experimental consequences of these results include fuzzy mass and spin shells of coloured particles like quarks, and decay life times which depend on the frame of observation [2-4]. In a paper under preparation, these results are extended to the ADM Poincaré group and the local Lorentz group of frames. The renormalisation of the ADM energy by infrared gravitons is also studied and estimated.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Supersymmetry: Boundary Conditions and Edge States

When spatial boundaries are inserted, SUSY can be broken. We show that in an $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric theory, all the boundary conditions allowed by self-adjointness of the Hamiltonian break $\mathcal{N}=2$ SUSY while only a few of these boundary conditions preserve $\mathcal{N}=1$ SUSY. We also show that for a subset of the boundary conditions compatible with $\mathcal{N}=1$ SUSY, there exist fermionic ground states which are localized near the boundary.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Spontaneous Lorentz Violation: The Case of Infrared QED

It is by now clear that infrared sector of QED has an intriguingly complex structure. Based on earlier pioneering works on this subject, two of us recently proposed a simple modification of QED by constructing a generalization of the $U(1)$ charge group of QED to the "Sky" group incorporating the known spontaneous Lorentz violation due to infrared photons, but still compatible in particular with locality. There it was shown that the "Sky" group is generated by the algebra of angle dependent charges and a study of its superselection sectors has revealed a manifest description of spontaneous breaking of Lorentz symmetry. We further elaborate this approach here and investigate in some detail the properties of charged particles dressed by the infrared photons. We find that Lorentz violation due to soft photons may be manifestly codified in an angle dependent fermion mass modifying therefore the fermion dispersion relations. The fact that the masses of the charged particles are not Lorentz invariant affects their spin content too.Time dilation formulae for decays should also get corrections. We speculate that these effects could be measured possibly in muon decay experiments.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

A Matrix Model for QCD

Gribov's observation that global gauge fixing is impossible has led to suggestions that there may be a deep connection between gauge-fixing and confinement. We find an unexpected relation between the topological non-triviality of the gauge bundle and coloured states in $SU(N)$ Yang-Mills theory, and show that such states are necessarily impure. We approximate QCD by a rectangular matrix model that captures the essential topological features of the gauge bundle, and demonstrate the impure nature of coloured states explicitly. Our matrix model also allows the inclusion of the QCD $θ$-term, as well as to perform explicit computations of low-lying glueball masses. This mass spectrum is gapped. Since an impure state cannot evolve to a pure one by a unitary transformation, our result shows that the solution to the confinement problem in pure QCD is fundamentally quantum information-theoretic.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

A Matrix Model for QCD: QCD Colour is Mixed

We use general arguments to show that coloured QCD states when restricted to gauge invariant local observables are mixed. This result has important implications for confinement: a pure colourless state can never evolve into two coloured states by unitary evolution. Furthermore, the mean energy in such a mixed coloured state is infinite. Our arguments are confirmed in a matrix model for QCD that we have developed using the work of Narasimhan and Ramadas and Singer. This model, a $(0+1)$-dimensional quantum mechanical model for gluons free of divergences and capturing important topological aspects of QCD, is adapted to analytical and numerical work. It is also suitable to work on large $N$ QCD. As applications, we show that the gluon spectrum is gapped and also estimate some low-lying levels for $N=2$ and 3 (colors). Incidentally the considerations here are generic and apply to any non-abelian gauge theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Edge States: Topological Insulators, Superconductors and QCD Chiral Bags

The dynamics of the magnetic field in a superconducting phase is described by an effective massive bosonic field theory. If the superconductor is confined in a domain M with boundary \partial M, the boundary conditions of the electromagnetic fields are predetermined by physics. They are time-reversal and also parity invariant for adapted geometry. They lead to edge excitations while in comparison, the bulk energies have a large gap. A similar phenomenon occurs for topological insulators where appropriate boundary conditions for the Dirac Hamiltonian also lead to similar edge states and an 'incompressible bulk'. They give spin-momentum locking as well. In addition time-reversal and parity invariance emerge for adapted geometry. Similar edge states appear in QCD bag models with chiral boundary conditions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2013

Spontaneous Lorentz Violation in Gauge Theories

Frohlich, Morchio and Strocchi long ago proved that Lorentz invariance is spontaneously broken in QED because of infrared effects. We develop a simple model where consequences of this breakdown can be explicitly and easily calculated. For this purpose, the superselected U(1) charge group of QED is extended to a superselected "Sky" group containing direction-dependent gauge transformations at infinity. It is the analog of the Spi group of gravity. As Lorentz transformations do not commute with Sky, they are spontaneously broken. These abelian considerations and model are extended to non-Abelian gauge symmetries. Basic issues regarding the observability of twisted non-Abelian gauge symmetries and of the asymptotic ADM symmetries of quantum gravity are raised.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Quantum Entropic Ambiguities: Ethylene

In a quantum system, there may be many density matrices associated with a state on an algebra of observables. For each density matrix, one can compute its entropy. These are in general different. Therefore one reaches the remarkable possibility that there may be many entropies for a given state [Private communication from R. Sorkin]. This ambiguity in entropy can often be traced to a gauge symmetry emergent from the non-trivial topological character of the configuration space of the underlying system. It can also happen in finite-dimensional matrix models. In the present work, we discuss this entropy ambiguity and its consequences for an ethylene molecule. This is a very simple and well-known system where these notions can be put to tests. Besides its intrinsic conceptual interest, the simplicity of this model can serve as an introduction to a similar discussion of systems such as coloured monopoles and the breaking of colour symmetry.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Spontaneous Breaking of Lorentz Symmetry and Vertex Operators for Vortices

We first review the spontaneous Lorentz symmetry breaking in the presence of massless gauge fields and infraparticles. This result was obtained long time ago in the context of rigorious quantum field theory by Frohlich et. al. and reformulated by Balachandran and Vaidya using the notion of superselection sectors and direction-dependent test functions at spatial infinity for the non-local observables. Inspired by these developments and under the assumption that the spectrum of the electric charge is quantized, (in units of a fundamental charge e) we construct a family of vertex operators which create winding number k, electrically charged Abelian vortices from the vacuum (zero winding number sector) and/or shift the winding number by k units. In particular, we find that for rotating vortices the vertex operator at level k shifts the angular momentum of the vortex by k \frac{\tilde q}{q}, where \tilde q is the electric charge of the quantum state of the vortex and q is the charge of the vortex scalar field under the U(1) gauge field. We also show that, for charged-particle-vortex composites angular momentum eigenvalues shift by k \frac{\tilde q}{q}, {\tilde q} being the electric charge of the charged-particle-vortex composite. This leads to the result that for \frac{\tilde q}{q} half-odd integral and for odd k our vertex operators flip the statistics of charged-particle-vortex composites from bosons to fermions and vice versa. For fractional values of \frac{\tilde q}{q}, application of vertex operator on charged-particle-vortex composite leads in general to composites with anyonic statistics.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Algebraic Approach to Entanglement and Entropy

We present a general approach to quantum entanglement and entropy that is based on algebras of observables and states thereon. In contrast to more standard treatments, Hilbert space is an emergent concept, appearing as a representation space of the observable algebra, once a state is chosen. In this approach, which is based on the Gelfand-Naimark-Segal construction, the study of subsystems becomes particularly clear. We explicitly show how the problems associated with partial trace for the study of entanglement of identical particles are readily overcome. In particular, a suitable entanglement measure is proposed, that can be applied to systems of particles obeying Fermi, Bose, para- and even braid group statistics. The generality of the method is also illustrated by the study of time evolution of subsystems emerging from restriction to subalgebras. Also, problems related to anomalies and quantum epistemology are discussed.

math-ph↗

arXiv2012

Entropy of Quantum States: Ambiguities

The von Neumann entropy of a generic quantum state is not unique unless the state can be uniquely decomposed as a sum of extremal or pure states. As pointed out to us by Sorkin, this happens if the GNS representation (of the algebra of observables in some quantum state) is reducible, and some representations in the decomposition occur with non-trivial degeneracy. This non-unique entropy can occur at zero temperature. We will argue elsewhere in detail that the degeneracies in the GNS representation can be interpreted as an emergent broken gauge symmetry, and play an important role in the analysis of emergent entropy due to non-Abelian anomalies. Finally, we establish the analogue of an H-theorem for this entropy by showing that its evolution is Markovian, determined by a stochastic matrix.

hep-th↗