arXiv subjects

Benjamin Koch

Publications and source records attributed to Benjamin Koch.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Can Schwarzschild Black Holes Be Accelerators of Spinning Massive Particles?

It is known that the center-of-mass energy of the collision of two massive particles following geodesics around a black hole presents a maximum. The maximum energy increases when the black hole is endowed with spin, and for a maximally rotating hole this energy blows up, offering, in principle, a unique probe of fundamental physics. This work extends the latter studies by considering that the colliding particles possess intrinsic angular momentum (spin), described by the Hanson-Regge-Hojman theory of spinning particles. By analyzing planar trajectories of spinning particles around non-rotating black holes, a significant increase of the invariant collision energy is found. Radial turning points, causality constraints, and limitations of the theory are discussed.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2016

Hidden Photons in Aharonov-Bohm-Type Experiments

We discuss the Aharonov-Bohm effect in the presence of hidden photons kinetically mixed with the ordinary electromagnetic photons. The hidden photon field causes a slight phase shift in the observable interference pattern. It is then shown how the limited sensitivity of this experiment can be largely improved. The key observation is that the hidden photon field causes a leakage of the ordinary magnetic field into the supposedly field-free region. The direct measurement of this magnetic field can provide a sensitive experiment with a good discovery potential, particularly below the $\sim$ meV mass range for hidden photons.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Constraints to Dark Matter from Inert Higgs Doublet Model

We study the Inert Higgs Doublet Model and its inert scalar Higgs $H$ as the only source for dark matter. It is found that three mass regions of the inert scalar Higgs can give the correct dark matter relic density. The low mass region (between 3 and 50 GeV) is ruled out. New direct dark matter detection experiments will probe the intermediate (between 60 and 100 GeV) and high (heavier than 550 GeV) mass regions. Collider experiments are advised to search for $D^\pm \to HW^\pm$ decay in the two jets plus missing energy channel.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

On the Possibility of Non-Geodesic Motion of the Massless Spinning Top

The motion of spinning massless particles in gravitationally curved backgrounds is revisited by considering new types of constraints. Those constraints guarantee zero mass ($P_μP^μ=0$) and they allow for the possibility of trajectories which are not simply null geodesics. To exemplify this previously unknown possibility, the equations of motion are solved for radial motion in Schwarzschild background. It is found that the particle experiences a spin-induced energy shift, which is proportional to the Hawking temperature of the black hole background.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2015

Scale Setting for Self-consistent Backgrounds

The quest for finding self-consistent background solutions in quantum field theory is closely related to the way one decides to set the renormalization scale $k$. This freedom in the choice of the scale setting can lead to ambiguities and conceptual inconsistencies such as the non-conservation of the stress-energy tensor. In this paper a setting for the "scale-field" is proposed at the level of effective action, which avoids such inconsistencies by construction. The mechanism and its potential is exemplified for scalar $ϕ^4$ theory and for Einstein-Hilbert-Maxwell theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Black Hole Solutions for Scale Dependent Couplings: The de Sitter and the Reissner-Nordström Case

Allowing for scale dependence of the gravitational couplings leads to a generalization of the corresponding field equations. In this work, those equations are solved for the Einstein-Hilbert and the Einstein-Maxwell case, leading to generalizations of the (Anti)-de Sitter and the Reissner-Nordström black holes. Those solutions are discussed and compared to their classical counterparts.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2014

On the dynamics of fluctuations in time crystals

We study the evolution of quantum fluctuations in systems known as time crystals, hypothetical systems for which the lowest energy state performs a periodic motion. We first discuss some general properties shared by time crystals, and deduce the effective field theory parametrizing the evolution of their fluctuations. We show that these fluctuations fall into categories analogous to acoustic and optical phonons, encountered in conventional crystals. The acoustic phonons correspond to gapless Goldstone boson modes parametrizing the broken time translation invariance of the crystal, whereas the optical phonons are identified with modes perpendicular to the broken symmetry of the system, which generically remain gapped. We study how these two modes decay and interact together, and discuss some observable features that could be tested in experimental realizations of time crystals.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Differentiable-Path Integrals in Quantum Mechanics

A method is presented which restricts the space of paths entering the path integral of quantum mechanics to subspaces of $C^α$, by only allowing paths which possess at least $α$ derivatives. The method introduces two external parameters, and induces the appearance of a particular time scale $ε_D$ such that for time intervals longer than $ε_D$ the model behaves as usual quantum mechanics. However, for time scales smaller than $ε_D$, modifications to standard formulation of quantum theory occur. This restriction renders convergent some quantities which are usually divergent in the time-continuum limit $ε\rightarrow 0$. We illustrate the model by computing several meaningful physical quantities such as the mean square velocity $\langle v^2 \rangle $, the canonical commutator, the Schrodinger equation and the energy levels of the harmonic oscillator. It is shown that an adequate choice of the parameters introduced makes the evolution unitary.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Black holes within Asymptotic Safety

Black holes are probably among the most fascinating objects populating our universe. Their characteristic features found within general relativity, encompassing spacetime singularities, event horizons, and black hole thermodynamics, provide a rich testing ground for quantum gravity ideas. We review the status of black holes within a particular proposal for quantum gravity, Weinberg's asymptotic safety program. Starting from a brief survey of the effective average action and scale setting procedures, an improved quantum picture of the black hole is developed. The Schwarzschild black hole and its generalizations including angular momenta, higher-derivative corrections and the implications of extra dimensions are discussed in detail. In addition, the quantum singularity emerging for the inclusion of a cosmological constant is elucidated and linked to the phenomenon of a dynamical dimensional reduction of spacetime.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

On the integration of fields and quanta in time dependent backgrounds

Field theories with global continuous symmetries may admit configurations in which time translation invariance is broken by the movement of homogeneous background fields evolving along the flat directions implied by the symmetries. In this context, the field fluctuations along the broken symmetry are well parametrized by a Goldstone boson field that may non-trivially interact with other fields present in the theory. These interactions violate Lorentz invariance as a result of the broken time translation invariance of the background, producing a mixing between the field content and the particle spectrum of the theory. In this article we study the effects of such interactions on the low energy dynamics of the Goldstone boson quanta, paying special attention to the role of the particle spectrum of the theory. By studying the particular case of a canonical two-field model with a mexican-hat potential, we analyze the derivation of the low energy effective field theory for the Goldstone boson, and discuss in detail the distinction between integrating fields v/s integrating quanta, to finally conclude that they are equivalent. In addition, we discuss the implications of our analysis for the study of systems where time translation invariance is broken, such as cosmic inflation and time crystals.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Black holes and running couplings: A comparison of two complementary approaches

Black holes appear as vacuum solutions of classical general relativity which depend on Newton's constant and possibly the cosmological constant. At the level of a quantum field theory, these coupling constants typically acquire a scale-dependence. This proceedings briefly summarizes two complementary ways to incorporate this effect: the renormalization group improvement of the classical black hole solution based on the running couplings obtained within the gravitational Asymptotic Safety program and the exact solution of the improved equations of motion including an arbitrary scale dependence of the gravitational couplings. Remarkably the picture of the "quantum" black holes obtained from these very different improvement strategies is surprisingly similar.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Structural aspects of asymptotically safe black holes

We study the quantum modifications of classical, spherically symmetric Schwarzschild (Anti-) de Sitter black holes within Quantum Einstein Gravity. The quantum effects are incorporated through the running coupling constants $G_k$ and $Λ_k$, computed within the exact renormalization group approach, and a common scale-setting procedure. We find that, in contrast to common intuition, it is actually the cosmological constant that determines the short-distance structure of the RG-improved black hole: in the asymptotic UV the structure of the quantum solutions is universal and given by the classical Schwarzschild-de Sitter solution, entailing a self-similarity between the classical and quantum regime. As a consequence asymptotically safe black holes evaporate completely and no Planck-size remnants are formed. Moreover, the thermodynamic entropy of the critical Nariai-black hole is shown to agree with the microstate count based on the effective average action, suggesting that the entropy originates from quantum fluctuations around the mean-field geometry.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Exact black hole solution for scale dependent gravitational couplings and the corresponding coupling flow

We study a black hole solution for the generalized Einstein Hilbert action with scale dependent couplings G(r) and Lambda(r). The form of the couplings is not imposed, but rather deduced from the existence of a non trivial symmetrical solution. A classical-like choice of the integration constants is found. Finally, the induced flow of the couplings is derived and compared to the flow that is obtained in the context of the exact renormalization group approach.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Closing a window for massive photons

Working with the assumption of non-zero photon mass and a trajectory that is described by the non geodesic world line of a spinning top we find, by deriving new astrophysical bounds, that this assumption is in contradiction with current experimental results. This yields the conclusion that such photons have to be exactly massless.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Exploring a Tractable Lagrangian for Arbitrary Spin

A simple Lagrangian is proposed that by the choice of the representation of SU(2), gives rise to field equations for arbitrary spin. In explicit examples it is shown, how the Klein-Gordon, the Dirac, and the Proca equation can be obtained from this Lagrangian. On the same footing, field equations for arbitrary spin are given. Finally, symmetries are discussed, the fields are quantized, their statistics is deduced, and Feynman rules are derived.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

An Angular Formalism for Spin One Half

Understanding spin one half is a crucial issue in the De Broglie Bohm framework. In this paper a concrete relativistic realization of spin one half in terms of angular coordinates is developed. A Lagrange formulation is found, equations of motion are derived, and Lorentz invariance is discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Proceedings of the first workshop on Flavor Symmetries and consequences in Accelerators and Cosmology (FLASY2011)

The main goals of the first "Workshop on FLAvor SYmmetries and consequences in accelerators and cosmology" (FLASY) was to summarize the theoretical status of flavor symmetries, bringing together young researchers in the field to stimulate discussions and new collaborations, with the aim of investigating possible new physics scenarios to be tested at the LHC, as well as in future neutrino, cosmology experiments and dark matter searches.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2011

Non-diagonal Charged Lepton Yukawa Matrix: Effects on Neutrino Mixing in Supersymmetry

Generally the diagonalization of the mass matrix of the charged leptons is a part of the neutrino UPMNS matrix. However, usually this contribution is ignored by assuming a diagonal mass matrix for charged leptons. In this letter we test this common assumption in the context of neutrino physics. Our analytical and numerical results for two supersymmetric models reveal that such a simplification is not justified. Especially for the solar and reactor mixing angles important modifications are found.

hep-ph↗