arXiv subjects

Ariel Zhitnitsky

Publications and source records attributed to Ariel Zhitnitsky.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Cosmological CP odd axion field as the coherent Berry's phase of the Universe

We consider a dark matter (DM) model offering a very natural explanation of the observed relation, $Ω_{\rm dark} \sim Ω_{\rm visible}$. This generic consequence of the model is a result of the common origin of both types of matter (DM and visible) which are formed during the same QCD transition. The masses of both types of matter in this framework are proportional to one and the same dimensional parameter of the system, $Λ_{\rm QCD}$. The focus of the present work is the detail study of the dynamics of the $\cal{CP}$-odd coherent axion field $a(x)$ just before the QCD transition. We argue that the baryon charge separation effect on the largest possible scales inevitably occurs as a result of merely existence of the coherent axion field in early Universe. It leads to preferential formation of one species of nuggets on the scales of the visible Universe where the axion field $a(x)$ is coherent. A natural outcome of this preferential evolution is that only one type of the visible baryons remains in the system after the nuggets complete their formation. This represents a specific mechanism on how the baryon charge separation mechanism (when the Universe is neutral, but visible part of matter consists the baryons only) replaces the conventional "baryogenesis" scenarios.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Axion detection via Topological Casimir Effect

We propose a new table-top experimental configuration for the direct detection of dark matter axions with mass in the $(10^{-6} \rm eV - 10^{-2} \rm eV)$ range using non-perturbative effects in a system with non-trivial spatial topology. Different from most experimental setups found in literature on direct dark matter axion detection, which relies on $\dotθ$ or $\vec{\nabla}θ$, we found that our system is in principle sensitive to a static $θ\geq 10^{-14}$ and can also be used to set limit on the fundamental constant $θ_{\rm QED}$ which becomes the fundamental observable parameter of the Maxwell system if some conditions are met. Connection with Witten effect when the induced electric charge $e'$ is proportional to $θ$ and the magnetic monopole becomes the dyon with non-vanishing $e'=-e \fracθ{2π}$ is also discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Superfluid helium II as the QCD vacuum

We study the winding number susceptibility < I^2> in a superfluid system and the topological susceptibility < Q^2> in QCD. We argue that both correlation functions exhibit similar structures, including the generation of the contact terms. We discuss the nature of the contact term in superfluid system and argue that it has exactly the same origin as in QCD, and it is related to the long distance physics which cannot be associated with conventional microscopical degrees of freedom such as phonons and rotons. We emphasize that the conceptual similarities between superfluid system and QCD may lead, hopefully, to a deeper understanding of the topological features of a superfluid system as well as the QCD vacuum.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2016

511 keV Line Emission from Nearby Spherical Dwarf Galaxies

The observed galactic 511 keV line has been interpreted in a number of papers as a possible signal of dark matter annihilation within the galactic bulge. If this is the case then we should expect a similar spectral feature associated with nearby dwarf galaxies which are dark matter dominated. It has recently been argued [1] that the absence of such a signal excludes a dark matter explanation as the major source for the galactic 511 keV line. In the model presented here dark matter in the form of heavy quark nuggets produces the galactic 511 keV emission line through interactions with the visible matter. It is argued, however, that this type of interaction is not subject to the strong dark matter annihilation constraints presented in [1].

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2016

Beyond WIMPs: the Quark (Anti) Nugget Dark Matter

We review a testable dark matter (DM) model outside of the standard WIMP paradigm. The model is unique in a sense that the observed ratio $Ω_{\rm dark} \simeq Ω_{\rm visible}$ for visible and dark matter densities finds its natural explanation as a result of their common QCD origin when both types of matter (DM and visible) are formed during the QCD transition and both are proportional to single dimensional parameter of the system, $Λ_{\rm QCD}$. We argue that the charge separation effect also inevitably occurs during the same QCD transition in the presence of the $\cal{CP}$ odd axion field $a(x)$. It leads to preferential formation of one species of nuggets on the scales of the visible Universe where the axion field $a(x)$ is coherent. A natural outcome of this preferential evolution is that only one type of the visible baryons (not anti- baryons) remain in the system after the nuggets complete their formation. Unlike conventional WIMP dark matter candidates, the nuggets and anti-nuggets are strongly interacting but macroscopically large objects. The rare events of annihilation of the anti-nuggets with visible matter lead to a number of observable effects. We argue that the relative intensities for a number of measured excesses of emission from the centre of galaxy (covering more than 11 orders of magnitude) are determined by standard and well established physics. At the same time the absolute intensity of emission is determined by a single new fundamental parameter of the theory, the axion mass, $10^{-6} {\rm eV} \lesssim m_a \lesssim 10^{-3}{\rm eV}$. Finally, we comment on implications of these studies for the axion search experiments, including microwave cavity and the Orpheus experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Axion field and the quark nugget's formation at the QCD phase transition

We study a testable dark matter (DM) model outside of the standard WIMP paradigm in which the observed ratio $Ω_{\rm dark} \simeq Ω_{\rm visible}$ for visible and dark matter densities finds its natural explanation as a result of their common QCD origin when both types of matter (DM and visible) are formed at the QCD phase transition and both are proportional to $Λ_{\rm QCD}$. Instead of conventional "baryogenesis" mechanism we advocate a paradigm when the "baryogenesis" is actually a charge separation process which always occur in the presence of the $\cal{CP}$ odd axion field $a(x)$. In this scenario the global baryon number of the Universe remains zero, while the unobserved anti-baryon charge is hidden in form of heavy nuggets, similar to Witten's strangelets and compromise the DM of the Universe. We argue that the nuggets will be inevitably produced during the QCD phase transition as a result of Kibble-Zurek mechanism on formation of the topological defects during a phase transition. Relevant topological defects in our scenario are the closed bubbles made of the $N_{\rm DW}=1$ axion domain walls. These bubbles, in general, accrete the baryon (or anti baryon) charge, which eventually result in formation of the nuggets and anti-nuggets carrying a huge baryon (anti-baryon) charge. The main consequence of the model, $Ω_{\rm dark} \approx Ω_{\rm visible}$ is insensitive to the axion mass which may assume any value within the observationally allowed window $10^{-6} {\rm eV} \lesssim m_a \lesssim 10^{-3}{\rm eV}$. We also estimate the baryon to entropy ratio $η\equiv {n_B}/{n_γ}\sim 10^{-10}$ within this scenario. Finally, we comment on implications of these results to the axion search experiments, including microwave cavity and the Orpheus experiments.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

Topological order and Berry connection for the Maxwell Vacuum on a four-torus

We study novel type of contributions to the partition function of the Maxwell system defined on a small compact manifold such as torus. These new terms can not be described in terms of the physical propagating photons with two transverse polarizations. Rather, these novel contributions emerge as a result of tunnelling events when transitions occur between topologically different but physically identical vacuum winding states. These new terms give an extra contribution to the Casimir pressure. The infrared physics in the system can be described in terms of the topological auxiliary non-propagating fields $a_i(\mathbf{k})$ governed by Chern-Simons -like action. The system can be studied in terms of these auxiliary fields precisely in the same way as a topological insulator can be analyzed in terms of Berry's connection ${\cal{A}}_i(\mathbf{k})$. We also argue that the Maxwell vacuum defined on a small 4-torus behaves very much in the same way as a topological insulator with $θ\neq 0$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2010

Topological Currents in Neutron Stars: Kicks, Precession, Toroidal Fields, and Magnetic Helicity

The effects of anomalies in high density QCD are striking. We consider a direct application of one of these effects, namely topological currents, on the physics of neutron stars. All the elements required for topological currents are present in neutron stars: degenerate matter, large magnetic fields, and P-parity violating processes. These conditions lead to the creation of vector currents capable of carrying momentum and inducing magnetic fields. We estimate the size of these currents for many representative states of dense matter in the neutron star and argue that they could be responsible for the large proper motion of neutron stars (kicks), the toroidal magnetic field and finite magnetic helicity needed for stability of the poloidal field, and the resolution of the conflict between type-II superconductivity and precession. Though these observational effects appear unrelated, they likely originate from the same physics -- they are all P-odd phenomena that stem from a topological current generated by parity violation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

On Classification of QCD defects via holography

We discuss classification of defects of various codimensions within a holographic model of pure Yang-Mills theories or gauge theories with fundamental matter. We focus on their role below and above the phase transition point as well as their weights in the partition function. The general result is that objects which are stable and heavy in one phase are becoming very light (tensionless) in the other phase. We argue that the $θ$ dependence of the partition function drastically changes at the phase transition point, and therefore it correlates with stability properties of configurations. Some possible applications for study the QCD vacuum properties above and below phase transition are also discussed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2008

Phase Transitions, theta Behavior and Instantons in QCD and its Holographic Model

In the holographic model of QCD, theta dependence sharply changes at the point of confinement deconfinement phase transition. In large N QCD such a change in theta behavior can be related to the breakdown of the instanton expansion at some critical temperature T_c. Associating this temperature with confinement-deconfinement phase transition leads to the description of the latter in terms of dissociation of instantons into the fractionally charged instanton quarks. To elucidate this picture, we introduce the nonvanishing chiral condensate in the deconfining phase and assume a specific lagrangian for the eta' field in the confining phase. In the resulting picture the high temperature phase of the theory consists of the dilute gas of instantons, while the low temperature phase is described in terms of freely moving fractional instanton quarks.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2007

Width of the 511 KeV Line from the Bulge of the Galaxy

In this paper I present the detail estimations for the width of the 511 keV line produced by a mechanism when dark matter is represented by macroscopically large dense nuggets. I argue that the width of 511 keV emission in this mechanism is very narrow (in a few keV range) in agreement with all observations. The dominant mechanism of the annihilation in this case is the positronium formation e^+e^-to ^1S_0 to 2γrather than a direct e^+e^- to 2γ$ annihilation. I also discuss some generic features of the γrays spectrum (in few MeV range) resulting from this mechanism.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

A Novel Mechanism for Type-I Superconductivity in Neutron Stars

We suggest a mechanism that may resolve a conflict raised by Link between the precession of a neutron star and the standard picture in which its core is composed of a mixture of a neutron superfluid and a type-II proton superconductor. We will show that if there is a persistent, non-dissipating current running along the magnetic flux tubes, the force between magnetic flux tubes may be attractive, resulting in a type-I, rather than a type-II, superconductor. If this is the case, the conflict between the observed precession and the canonical estimation of the Landau-Ginzburg parameter (which suggests type II behaviour) will be automatically resolved. Such a current arises in some condensed matter systems and may also appear in QCD dense matter as a consequence of quantum anomalies. We calculate the interaction between two vortices carrying a current j and find a constraint on the magnitude of j where a superconductor is always type-I, even when the cannonical Landau-Ginzburg parameter indicates type-II behaviour. If this condition is met, the magnetic field is expelled from the superconducting regions of the neutron star leading to the formation of the intermediate state where alternating domains of superconducting matter and normal matter coexist. We further argue that even when the induced current is small the vortex Abrikosov lattice will nevertheless be destroyed due to the helical instability studied previously in many condensed matter systems. This would also resolve the apparent contradiction with the precession of the neutron stars. We also discuss some instances where anomalous induced current may play a crucial role, such as the neutron star kicks, pulsar glitches and the toroidal magnetic field.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Vacuum Energy, EoS, and the Gluon Condensate at Finite Baryon Density in QCD

The Equation of States (EoS) plays the crucial role in all studies of neutron star properties. Still, a microscopical understanding of EoS remains largely an unresolved problem. We use 2-color QCD as a model to study the dependence of vacuum energy (gluon condensate in QCD) as function of chemical potential μ\ll Λ_{QCD} where we find very strong and unexpected dependence on $μ$. We present the arguments suggesting that similar behavior may occur in 3-color QCD in the color superconducting phases. Such a study may be of importance for analysis of EoS when phenomenologically relevant parameters (within such models as MIT Bag model or NJL model) are fixed at zero density while the region of study lies at much higher densities not available for terrestrial tests.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Cold Dark Matter as Compact Composite Objects

Dark Matter (DM) being the vital ingredient in the cosmos, still remains a mystery. Standard assumption is that the collisionless cold dark matter (CCDM) particles are represented by some weakly interacting fundamental fields which can not be associated with any standard quarks or leptons. However, recent analyses of structure on galactic and sub-galactic scales have suggested discrepancies and stimulated numerous alternative proposals including, e.g. Self-Interacting dark matter, Self-Annihilating dark matter, Decaying dark matter, to name just a few. We propose the alternative to the standard assumption about the nature of DM particles (which are typically assumed to be weakly interacting fundamental point -like particles, yet to be discovered). Our proposal is based on the idea that DM particles are strongly interacting composite macroscopically large objects which made of well known light quarks (or even antiquarks). The required weakness of the DM particle interactions is guaranteed by a small geometrical factor of the composite objects with a large baryon charge rather than by a weak coupling constant of a new field. We argue that the interaction between hadronic matter and composite dark objects does not spoil the desired properties of the latter as cold matter. We also argue that such a scenario does not contradict to the current observational data. Rather, it has natural explanations of many observed data, such as $Ω_{DM}/ Ω_{B}\sim 1$ or $511 KeV$ line from the bulge of our galaxy. We also suggest that composite dark matter may modify the dynamics of structure formation in the central overdense regions of galaxies. We also present a number of other cosmological/astrophysical observations which indirectly support the novel concept of DM nature.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Baryon Asymmetry, Dark Matter and Quantum Chromodynamics

We propose a novel scenario to explain the observed cosmological asymmetry between matter and antimatter, based on nonperturbative QCD physics. This scenario relies on a mechanism of separation of quarks and antiquarks in two coexisting phases at the end of the cosmological QCD phase transition: ordinary hadrons (and antihadrons), along with massive lumps (and antilumps) of novel color superconducting phase. The latter would serve as the cosmological cold dark matter. In certain conditions the separation of charge is C and CP asymmetric and can leave a net excess of hadrons over antihadrons in the conventional phase, even if the visible universe is globally baryon symmetric $B = 0$. In this case an equal, but negative, overall baryon charge must be hidden in the lumps of novel phase. Due to the small volume occupied by these dense lumps/antilumps of color superconducting phase and the specific features of their interaction with "normal" matter in hadronic phase, this scenario does not contradict the current phenomenological constrains on presence of antimatter in the visible universe. Moreover, in this scenario the observed cosmological ratio $Ω_{DM}\simΩ_{B}$ within an order of magnitude finds a natural explanation, as both contributions to $Ω$ originated from the same physics during the QCD phase transition. The baryon to entropy ratio $n_{B}/n_γ\sim 10^{-10}$ would also be a natural outcome, fixed by the temperature $T_f \simlt T_{QCD}$ at which the separation of phases is completed.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2000

Signatures of the Induced $Θ$ vacuum state in Heavy Ion Collisions

It was argued recently that, in general, an arbitrary induced theta vacuum state would be created in the heavy ion collisions, similar to the creation of the disoriented chiral condensatewith an arbitrary isospin direction. It should be a large domain with a wrong theta orientation which will mimic the physics of the world when the fundamental theta is non-zero. I suggest a few simple observables which can (hopefully) be measured on an event by event basis at RHIC, and which uniquely determine whether the induced theta vacuum state is created.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1998

"Integrating in" and Effective Lagrangian for Non-Supersymmetric Yang-Mills Theory

Recently a non-supersymmetric analog of Veneziano-Yankielowicz (VY) effective Lagrangian has been proposed and applied for the analysis of the theta dependence in pure Yang-Mills theory. This effective Lagrangian is similar in many respects to the VY construction and, in particular, exhibits a kind of low energy holomorphy which is absent in the full YM theory. Here we incorporate a heavy fermion into this effective theory by using the "integrating in" technique. We find that, in terms of this extended theory, holomorphy of the effective Lagrangian for pure YM theory naturally implies a holomorphic dependence on the heavy fermion mass. It is shown that this analysis fixes, under certain assumptions, a dimensionless parameter which enters the effective Lagrangian and determines the number of nondegenerate vacuum sectors in pure YM theory. We also compare our results for the vacuum structure and theta dependence to those obtained recently by Witten on the basis of AdS/CFT correspondence.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

Axion potential, topological defects and CP-odd bubbles in QCD

It follows on general grounds that the theta dependence in QCD is more complicated than suggested by the large N_c approach or instanton arguments. Generically, the vacuum energy E_{vac}(θ) is a multi-valued function of θadmitting the existence of metastable states. We discuss decays of such metastable vacua in the theory with and without the axion, and point out the potential relevance of this and related phenomena for constraining a dark matter axion. Based on the analysis of the axion potential, an idea for a new axion search experiment at RHIC is suggested. It is noted that the false vacuum decay proceeds with maximal violation of CP, even if θ= 0. We further speculate that the famous Sakharov criteria for baryogenesis could be satisfied at the QCD scale.

hep-ph↗