arXiv subjects

B. Altschul

Publications and source records attributed to B. Altschul.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Perturbative Analysis of CPT-Odd Lorentz-Violating Scalar QCD

We perform a complete one-loop renormalization analysis of CPT-odd Lorentz-violating scalar quantum chromodynamics with adjoint scalar matter. Working to first order in the preferred background vector and treating the corresponding operators as perturbative insertions, we compute the ultraviolet-divergent parts of the relevant two-, three-, and four-point Green's functions for the gauge, scalar, and ghost fields. We show that the gauge sector develops the expected Carroll-Field-Jackiw-type correction, which generically turns out to be divergent in our theory, although the divergence vanishes in a certain gauge, while the scalar sector displays the corresponding CPT-odd single-derivative term proportional to the background vector. We further demonstrate that several of the Lorentz-violating corrections the three- and four-point function are ultraviolet finite. All one-loop divergences may be absorbed into counterterms already allowed by the classical Lagrangian, providing an explicit proof of the multiplicative renormalizability of the theory at this order. We also obtain the associated renormalization constants and one-loop $\beta$-functions for the gauge coupling, the Lorentz violation parameters, and the scalar self-interaction.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Perturbative Aspects of CPT-Even Lorentz-Violating Scalar Chromodynamics

In this work, we formulate the theory of Lorentz-violating scalar Quantum Chromodynamics with an arbitrary non-Abelian gauge group. This theory belongs to the class of models encompassed by the standard model extension framework. At the lowest order in the theory's Lorentz violation parameters, we calculate the divergent quantum corrections, including the renormalization group $β$-functions of the theory. The Lorentz-violating sector is shown to be scale invariant if there is a particular relation between the couplings.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Three- and Four-Point Functions in CPT-Even Lorentz-Violating Scalar QED

The renormalization of quantum field theories usually assumes Lorentz and gauge symmetries, besides the general restrictions imposed by unitarity and causality. However, the set of renormalizable theories can be enlarged by relaxing some of these assumptions. In this work, we consider the particular case of a CPT-preserving but Lorentz-breaking extension of scalar QED. For this theory, we calculate the one-loop radiative corrections to the three- and four-point scalar-vector vertex functions, at the lowest order in the Lorentz violation parameters; and we explicitly verify that the resulting low-energy effective action is compatible with the usual gauge invariance requirements. With these results, we complete the one-loop renormalization of the model at the leading order in the Lorentz-violating parameters.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

First-order perturbations of Gödel-type metrics in non-dynamical Chern-Simons modified gravity

Gödel-type metrics that are homogeneous in both space and time remain, like the Schwarzschild metric, consistent within Chern-Simons modified gravity; this is true in both the non-dynamical and dynamical frameworks, each of which involves an additional pseudoscalar field coupled to the Pontryagin density. In this paper, we consider stationary first-order perturbations to these metrics in the non-dynamical framework. Under certain assumptions we find analytical solutions to the perturbed field equations. The solutions of the first-order field equations break the translational and cylindrical symmetries of the unperturbed metrics. The effective potential controlling planar geodesic orbits is also affected by the perturbation parameter, which changes the equilibrium radii for the orbits of both massive particles and massless photons.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

Limits on Neutron Lorentz Violation from Pulsar Timing

Pulsars are the most accurate naturally occurring clocks, and data about them can be used to set bounds on neutron-sector Lorentz violations. If SO(3) rotation symmetry is completely broken for neutrons, then pulsars' rotation speeds will vary periodically. Pulsar timing data limits the relevant Lorentz-violating coefficients to be smaller than 1.7 x 10^(-8) at at least 90% confidence.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Lorentz Violation and the Yukawa Potential

We analyze Lorentz violations in the bosonic sector of a Yukawa-type quantum field theory. The nonrelativistic potential may be determined to all orders in the Lorentz violation, and we find that only specific types of modifications to the normal Yukawa potential can be generated. The influence of this modified potential on scattering and bounds states is calculated. These results could be relevant to the search for new macroscopic forces, which may not necessarily be Lorentz invariant.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

Limits on Lorentz Violation from Synchrotron and Inverse Compton Sources

We derive new bounds on Lorentz violations in the electron sector from existing data on high-energy astrophysical sources. Synchrotron and inverse Compton data give precisely complementary constraints. The best bound on a specific combination of electron Lorentz-violating coefficients is at the 6 x 10^(-20) level, and independent bounds are available for all the Lorentz-violating c coefficients at the 2 x 10^(-14) level or better. This represents an improvement in some bounds by fourteen orders of magnitude.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2006

Eliminating the CPT-Odd f Coefficient from the Lorentz-Violating Standard Model Extension

The fermionic f coefficient in the Lorentz-violating standard model extension presents a puzzle. Thus far, no observable quantity that depends upon f has ever been found. We show that this is because f is actually unnecessary. It has absolutely no effects at leading order and can be completely absorbed into other coefficients of the theory by a redefinition of the field.

hep-th↗

arXiv2006

Radiatively Induced Lorentz-Violating Photon Masses

We examine the radiative corrections to an extension of the standard model containing a Lorentz-violating axial vector parameter. At second order in this parameter, the photon self-energy is known to contain terms that violate gauge invariance. Previously, this has been treated as a pathology, but it is also possible to take the gauge noninvariant terms at face value. These terms then make Lorentz-violating contributions to the photon mass, and directly measured limits on the photon mass can be used to set bounds on the Lorentz violation at better than the 10^-22 GeV level.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Lorentz Violation and Faddeev-Popov Ghosts

We consider how Lorentz-violating interactions in the Faddeev-Popov ghost sector will affect scalar QED. The behavior depends sensitively on whether the gauge symmetry is spontaneously broken. If the symmetry is not broken, Lorentz violations in the ghost sector are unphysical, but if there is spontaneous breaking, radiative corrections will induce Lorentz-violating and gauge-dependent terms in other sectors of the theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Lorentz Violation and Synchrotron Radiation

We consider the radiation emitted by an ultrarelativistic charged particle moving in a magnetic field, in the presence of an additional Lorentz-violating interaction. In contrast with prior work, we treat a form of Lorentz violation that is represented by a renormalizable operator. Neglecting the radiative reaction force, the particle's trajectory can be determined exactly. The resulting orbit is generally noncircular and does not lie in the place perpendicular to the magnetic field. We do not consider any Lorentz violation in the electromagnetic sector, so the radiation from the accelerated charge can be determined by standard means, and the radiation spectrum will exhibit a Lorentz-violating directional dependence. Using data on emission from the Crab nebula, we can set a bound on a particular combination of Lorentz-violating coefficients at the $6\times10^{-20}$ level.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Spontaneous Lorentz Violation and Nonpolynomial Interactions

Gauge-noninvariant vector field theories with superficially nonrenormalizable nonpolynomial interactions are studied. We show that nontrivial relevant and stable theories have spontaneous Lorentz violation, and we present a large class of asymptotically free theories. The Nambu-Goldstone modes of these theories can be identified with the photon, with potential experimental implications.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Nonunitary Quantum Theory with a Field Cutoff

We consider a scalar quantum field theory, in which the interaction takes the form of a field cutoff; the energy diverges to infinity whenever the value of the field at some point falls outside a finite interval. In a simple (1+1)-dimensional version of this theory, we may calculate the results of certain scattering processes exactly. The main feature of the nontrivial solutions is the appearance of shock fronts, whose time development is irreversible. The resulting nonunitarity implies that these theories are, at a minimum, radically different from conventional quantum field theories.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2005

Non-Hermitian Interactions Between Harmonic Oscillators, with Applications to Stable, Lorentz-Violating QED

We examine a new application of the Holstein-Primakoff realization of the simple harmonic oscillator Hamiltonian. This involves the use of infinite-dimensional representations of the Lie algebra $su(2)$. The representations contain nonstandard raising and lowering operators, which are nonlinearly related to the standard $a^†$ and $a$. The new operators also give rise to a natural family of two-oscillator couplings. These nonlinear couplings are not generally self-adjoint, but their low-energy limits are self-adjoint, exactly solvable, and stable. We discuss the structure of a theory involving these couplings. Such a theory might have as its ultra-low-energy limit a Lorentz-violating Abelian gauge theory, and we discuss the extremely strong astrophysical constraints on such a model.

hep-th↗

arXiv2005

Velocity in Lorentz-Violating Fermion Theories

We consider the role of the velocity in Lorentz-violating fermionic quantum theory, especially emphasizing the nonrelativistic regime. Information about the velocity will be important for the kinematical analysis of scattering and other problems. Working within the minimal standard model extension, we derive new expressions for the velocity. We find that generic momentum and spin eigenstates may not have well-defined velocities. We also demonstrate how several different techniques may be used to shed light on different aspects of the problem. A relativistic operator analysis allows us to study the behavior of the Lorentz-violating Zitterbewegung. Alternatively, by studying the time evolution of Gaussian wave packets, we find that there are Lorentz-violating modifications to the wave packet spreading and the spin structure of the wave function.

hep-th↗

arXiv2004

Infinitesimally Nonlocal Lorentz Violation

We introduce a new Lorentz-violating modification to a scalar quantum field theory. This interaction, while super-renormalizable by power counting, is fundamentally different from the interactions previously considered within the Lorentz-violating standard model extension. The Lagrange density is nonlocal, because of the presence of a Hilbert transform term; however, this nonlocality is also very weak. The theory has reasonable stability and causality properties and, although the Lorentz-violating interaction possesses a single vector index, the theory is nonetheless CPT even. As an application, we analyze the possible effects of this new form of Lorentz violation on neutral meson oscillations. We find that under certain circumstances, the interaction may lead to quite peculiar sidereal modulations in the oscillation frequency.

hep-th↗

arXiv2004

Asymptotically Free Lorentz- and CPT-Violating Scalar Field Theories

We search for novel Lorentz- and CPT-violating field theories, beyond those contained in the superficially renormalizable standard model extension. We find a new class of scalar field self-interactions which are nonpolynomial in form, involving arbitrarily high powers of the field. Many of these interactions correspond to nontrivial asymptotically free theories. These theories are stable if rotation invariance remains unbroken. These results indicate that certain forms of Lorentz violation, if they exist, may naturally be quite strong.

hep-th↗

arXiv2004

Gauge Invariance and the Pauli-Villars Regulator in Lorentz- and CPT-Violating Electrodynamics

We examine the nonperturbative structure of the radiatively induced Chern-Simons term in a Lorentz- and CPT-violating modification of QED. Although the coefficient of the induced Chern-Simons term is in general undetermined, the nonperturbative theory appears to generate a definite value. However, the CPT-even radiative corrections in this same formulation of the theory generally break gauge invariance. We show that gauge invariance may yet be preserved through the use of a Pauli-Villars regulator, and, contrary to earlier expectations, this regulator does not necessarily give rise to a vanishing Chern-Simons term. Instead, two possible values of the Chern-Simons coefficient are allowed, one zero and one nonzero. This formulation of the theory therefore allows the coefficient to vanish naturally, in agreement with experimental observations.

hep-th↗