arXiv subjects

A. Wipf

Publications and source records attributed to A. Wipf.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2000

Magnetic monopoles vs. Hopf defects in the Laplacian (Abelian) gauge

We investigate the Laplacian Abelian gauge on the sphere S^4 in the background of a single `t Hooft instanton. To this end we solve the eigenvalue problem of the covariant Laplace operator in the adjoint representation. The ground state wave function serves as an auxiliary Higgs field. We find that the ground state is always degenerate and has nodes. Upon diagonalisation, these zeros induce toplogical defects in the gauge potentials. The nature of the defects crucially depends on the order of the zeros. For first-order zeros one obtains magnetic monopoles. The generic defects, however, arise from zeros of second order and are pointlike. Their topological invariant is the Hopf index S^3 -> S^2. These findings are corroborated by an analysis of the Laplacian gauge in the fundamental representation where similar defects occur. Possible implications for the confinement scenario are discussed.

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arXiv2000

Instantons and Gribov Copies in the Maximally Abelian Gauge

We calculate the Faddeev-Popov operator corresponding to the maximally Abelian gauge for gauge group SU(N). Specializing to SU(2) we look for explicit zero modes of this operator. Within an illuminating toy model (Yang-Mills mechanics) the problem can be completely solved and understood. In the field theory case we are able to find an analytic expression for a normalizable zero mode in the background of a single `t Hooft instanton. Accordingly, such an instanton corresponds to a horizon configuration in the maximally Abelian gauge. Possible physical implications are discussed.

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arXiv2000

Witten-Veneziano Relation for the Schwinger Model

The Witten-Veneziano relation between the topological susceptibility of pure gauge theories without fermions and the main contribution of the complete theory and the corresponding formula of Seiler and Stamatescu with the so-called contact term are discussed for the Schwinger model on a circle. Using the (Euclidean) path integral and the canonical (Hamiltonian) approaches at finite temperatures we demonstrate that both formulae give the same result in the limit of infinite volume and (or) zero temperature.

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arXiv1998

SU(N)-Gauge Theories in Polyakov Gauge on the Torus

We investigate the Abelian projection with respect to the Polyakov loop operator for SU(N) gauge theories on the four torus. The gauge fixed $A_0$ is time-independent and diagonal. We construct fundamental domains for $A_0$. In sectors with non-vanishing instanton number such gauge fixings are always singular. The singularities define the positions of magnetically charged monopoles, strings or walls. These magnetic defects sit on the Gribov horizon and have quantized magnetic charges. We relate their magnetic charges to the instanton number.

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arXiv1998

Abelian Projection on the Torus for general Gauge Groups

We consider Yang-Mills theories with general gauge groups $G$ and twists on the four torus. We find consistent boundary conditions for gauge fields in all instanton sectors. An extended Abelian projection with respect to the Polyakov loop operator is presented, where $A_0$ is independent of time and in the Cartan subalgebra. Fundamental domains for the gauge fixed $A_0$ are constructed for arbitrary gauge groups. In the sectors with non-vanishing instanton number such gauge fixings are necessarily singular. The singularities can be restricted to Dirac strings joining magnetically charged defects. The magnetic charges of these monopoles take their values in the co-root lattice of the gauge group. We relate the magnetic charges of the defects and the windings of suitable Higgs fields about these defects to the instanton number.

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arXiv1998

Monopoles, Polyakov-Loops and Gauge Fixing on the Torus

We consider pure Yang Mills theory on the four torus. A set of non-Abelian transition functions is presented which encompass all instanton sectors. It is argued that these transition functions are a convenient starting point for gauge fixing. In particular, we give an extended Abelian projection with respect to the Polyakov loop, where $A_0$ is independent of time and in the Cartan subalgebra. In the non-perturbative sectors such gauge fixings are necessarily singular. These singularities can be restricted to Dirac strings joining monopole and anti-monopole like ``defects''.

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arXiv1997

Polyakov-Loops and Fermionic Zero Modes in QCD2 on the Torus

A simple derivation of the free energy and expectation values of Polyakov-loops in $QCD_2$ via path integral methods is given. In the chosen gauge (which can be generalized to 4 dimensions) without Gribov-copies the Fadeev-Popov determinant and the integration over the space component of the gauge field cancel exactly and we are left only with an integration over the zero components of the gauge field in the Cartan sub-algebra. This way the Polyakov-loop operators become Vertex-operators in a simple quantum mechanical model. The number of fermionic zero modes is related to the winding-numbers of $A_0$ in this gauge.

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arXiv1995

Generalized Thirring Models

The Thirring model and various generalizations of it are analyzed in detail. The four-Fermi interaction modifies the equation of state. Chemical potentials and twisted boundary conditions both result in complex fermionic determinants which are analyzed. The non-minimal coupling to gravity does deform the conformal algebra which in particular contains the minimal models. We compute the central charges, conformal weights and finite size effects. For the gauged model we derive the partition functions and the explicit expression for the chiral condensate at finite temperature and curvature. The Bosonization in compact curved space-times is also investigated.

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arXiv1995

Running surface couplings

We discuss the renormalization group improved effective action and running surface couplings in curved spacetime with boundary. Using scalar self-interacting theory as an example, we study the influence of the boundary effects to effective equations of motion in spherical cap and the relevance of surface running couplings to quantum cosmology and symmetry breaking phenomenon. Running surface couplings in the asymptotically free SU(2) gauge theory are found.

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arXiv1994

Gauge Theories in a Bag

We investigate multi-flavour gauge theories confined in $d\es 2n$-dimensional Euclidean bags. The boundary conditions for the 'quarks' break the axial flavour symmetry and depend on a parameter $θ$. We determine the $θ$-dependence of the fermionic correlators and determinants and find that a $CP$-breaking $θ$-term is generated dynamically. As an application we calculate the chiral condensate in multi-flavour $QED_2$ and the abelian projection of $QCD_2$. In the second model a condensate is generated in the limit where the number of colours, $N_c$, tends to infinity. We prove that the condensate in $QCD_2$ decreases with increasing bag radius $R$ at least as $\sim R^{-1/N_cN_f}$. Finally we determine the correlators of mesonic currents in $QCD_2$.

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arXiv1994

On 4D-Hawing Radiation from Effective Action

We determine the $s$-waves contribution of a scalar field to the four dimensional effective action for arbitrary spherically symmetric external gravitational fields. The result is applied to $4d$-black holes and it is shown that the energy momentum tensor derived from the (nonlocal) effective action contains the Hawking radiation. The luminosity is close to the expected one in the $s$-channel. The energy momentum tensor may be used as starting point to study the backreaction problem.

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arXiv1994

On the Symmetries of Hamiltonian Systems

In this paper we show how the well-know local symmetries of Lagrangeans systems, and in particular the diffeomorphism invariance, emerge in the Hamiltonian formulation. We show that only the constraints which are linear in the momenta generate transformations which correspond to symmetries of the corresponding Lagrangean system. The nonlinear constraints (which we have, for instance, in gravity, supergravity and string theory) rather generate the dynamics of the corresponding Lagrangean system. Only in a very special combination with "trivial" transformations proportional to the equations of motion do they lead to symmetry transformations. We reveal the importance of these special "trivial" transformations for the interconnection theorems which relate the symmetries of a system with its dynamics. We prove these theorems for general Hamiltonian systems. We apply the developed formalism to concrete physically relevant systems and in particular those which are diffeomorphism invariant. The connection between the parameters of the symmetry transformations in the Hamiltonian- and Lagrangean formalisms is found. The possible applications of our results are discussed.

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arXiv1993

Temperature- and Curvature Dependence of the Chiral Symmetry Breaking in 2D Gauge Theories

The partition function and the order parameter for the chiral symmetry breaking are computed for a family of 2-dimensional interacting theories containing the gauged Thirring model. In particular we derive non-perturbative expressions for the dependence of the chiral condensate on the temperature and the curvature. Both, high temperature and high curvature supress the condensate exponentially and we can associate an effective temperature to the curvature.

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arXiv1993

Conformal- and Thermodynamic Properties of a Family of Thirring-like Models

We investigate Thirring-like models containing fermionic and scalar fields propagating in 2-dimensional space time. The corresponding conformal algebra is studied and we disprove a conjecture relating the finite size effects to the central charge. Some new results concerning the fermionic determinant on the torus with chirally twisted boundary conditions and a chemical potential are presented. In particular we show how the thermodynamics of the Thirring model depends on the current-current interaction.

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arXiv1993

Generalized Gauged Thirring Model on Curved Space-Times

We analyse the interacting theory of charged fermions, scalars, pseuso-scalars and photons propagating in 2-dimensional curved spacetime in detail. For certain values of the coupling constants the theory reduces to the gauged Thirring model and for others the Schwinger model incurved spacetime. It is shown that the interaction of the fermions with the pseudo-scalars shields the electromagnetic interaction, and that the non-minimal coupling of the scalars to the gravitational field amplifies the Hawking radiation. We solve the finite temperature and density model by using functional techniques and in particular derive the exact equation of state. The explicit temperature and curvature dependence of the chiral condensate is found. When the electromagnetic field is switched off the model reduces to a conformal field theory. We determine the physically relevant expectation values and conformal weights of the fundamental fields in the theory.

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arXiv1991

On the General Structure of Hamiltonian Reductions of the Wznw Theory

The structure of Hamiltonian reductions of the Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten (WZNW) theory by first class Kac-Moody constraints is analyzed in detail. Lie algebraic conditions are given for ensuring the presence of exact integrability, conformal invariance and $\cal W$-symmetry in the reduced theories. A Lagrangean, gauged WZNW implementation of the reduction is established in the general case and thereby the path integral as well as the BRST formalism are set up for studying the quantum version of the reduction. The general results are applied to a number of examples. In particular, a ${\cal W}$-algebra is associated to each embedding of $sl(2)$ into the simple Lie algebras by using purely first class constraints. The importance of these $sl(2)$ systems is demonstrated by showing that they underlie the $W_n^l$-algebras as well. New generalized Toda theories are found whose chiral algebras are the ${\cal W}$-algebras belonging to the half-integral $sl(2)$ embeddings, and the ${\cal W}$-symmetry of the effective action of those generalized Toda theories associated with the integral gradings is exhibited explicitly.

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