arXiv subjects

David Dudal

Publications and source records attributed to David Dudal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The Casimir effect in Gribov-Zwanziger theory

We consider Yang-Mills theory with two infinite parallel plates, separated by a distance $L$, that are perfect magnetic conductors (PMC) or perfect electric conductors (PEC). Recently, it was shown that the Gribov copy problem persists in such a setting. We then study the Gribov-Zwanziger (GZ) action in the presence of those boundaries using functional integral methods. Lagrange multiplier fields allow one to lift the boundary conditions into the action, after which the boundary modifications to the gluon propagator can straightforwardly be determined. In the PEC case, we provide evidence that, even when translation invariance is (partially) broken, the usual horizon term in the GZ action still restricts the functional integral to the Gribov region. We compute the Casimir energy for GZ with PMC or PEC plates, both directly from the functional integral and from the energy-momentum tensor, obtaining consistent results. We compare our analytical results with recent lattice data, in both 4D and 3D. A priori, one might expect that the boundary-modified gluon propagator introduces new $L$-dependencies into the GZ gap equation. This would make the Gribov mass $\gamma$ dynamically dependent on $L$, implying an interesting interplay with the Casimir energy. However, we show that no such dynamical $L$-dependence occurs within the current approximation.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Examples of Gribov copies in the presence of planar boundaries, and an emergent boundary gauge invariance in Yang-Mills theory

First, we explicitly construct zero-modes of the Yang-Mills Faddeev-Popov operator in the presence of two parallel plates, with either perfect electric (PEC) or perfect magnetic (PMC) boundary conditions imposed. This establishes the existence of Gribov copies with finite action, and even finite L_2-norm, in Yang-Mills theory with non-trivial interfaces. We adapt Henyey's construction, although the boundary configuration imposes extra restrictions on the ansatz for the gauge field. Second, we discuss the phenomenon of an emergent boundary gauge invariance for PEC and PMC plates in Yang-Mills theory. This shall be important when applying the Gribov-Zwanziger procedure to parallel plate setups, of relevance for non-perturbatively studying the non-Abelian Casimir effect in the future.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

On the Casimir effect with mixed dynamical edge mode and perfect electromagnetic conducting boundary conditions

We study the Casimir effect for a parallel plate setup with one plate with dynamical edge mode (DEM) boundary conditions, and one plate with perfect electromagnetic conductor (PEMC) boundary conditions. In order to restore BRST invariance, new edge fields are introduced on the DEM plate. We then lift the boundary conditions into the action using Lagrange multiplier fields, and integrate out the bulk fields to obtain a non-local effective boundary theory from which we compute the Casimir energy. The resulting Casimir force is identical to a PMC-PEMC setup, implying that, from the point of view of the Casimir effect, a DEM plate is equivalent to a PMC plate. We also include a detailed derivation of the general functional method used to compute the Casimir energy from the partition function.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Near-Tsirelson Bell-CHSH Violations in Quantum Field Theory via Carleman and Hankel Operators

We study Bell-Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt (Bell-CHSH) violations in the vacuum state of free spinor fields in $(1+1)$-dimensional Minkowski spacetime. We construct explicit smooth compactly supported test functions with spacelike separated supports whose Bell-CHSH correlators converge to Tsirelson's bound $2\sqrt2$. In the massless case, after passage to the time-zero slice and a natural symmetry reduction, the problem reduces to the quadratic form of the Carleman operator on $L^2([0,\infty))$. Near-maximal Bell violation is then governed by the spectral edge $\pi$, and explicit near-extremizers are obtained from compactly supported cutoffs of the generalized eigenfunction $x^{-1/2}$. This also explains the appearance of the constant $\pi$ in earlier wavelet-based formulations. In the massive case, the same reduction leads to a Hankel operator with kernel $mK_1(m(x+y))$, where $K_1$ denotes the modified Bessel function of the second kind of order $1$, and exponentially damped variants of the massless test functions again yield Bell-CHSH values converging to $2\sqrt2$. Therefore, we establish a direct link between Bell-CHSH violations for free $(1+1)$-dimensional spinor fields and the spectral theory of Carleman and Hankel operators on the half-line.

math-ph↗

arXiv2025

Non-perturbative corrections to the Casimir energy for a scalar field theory with non-linear boundary conditions

We consider the case of a free real massive bulk scalar in D=4 dimensions, and embed two parallel plates as interfaces on which we impose non-linear boundary conditions, either Dirichlet- or Neumann-like, parameterized by a new coupling constant g. This mimics a non-Abelian gauge theory supplemented with boundary conditions on surfaces embedded in the bulk. We present the first evidence for a non-perturbative 1/g^2 boundary mass generation and its ensuing correction to the standard Casimir energy. This becomes possible by incorporating dynamical corrections to the effective boundary fields, which are used to build in the boundary conditions directly at the action level.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Uncertainty Quantification of the Fresh-Saltwater Interface from Time-Domain Electromagnetic Data

Geophysical methods provide a cost-effective way to characterize the subsurface for hydrogeological projects, but they rely on solving an inverse problem. Traditionally, deterministic approaches are used, which face challenges due to non-uniqueness. Stochastic methods offer uncertainty quantification but demand high computational resources. Bayesian Evidential Learning (BEL) bypasses full stochastic inversion by approximating the posterior distribution at lower cost. However, as with Monte Carlo techniques, efficiency depends on the number of inversion parameters. We show that incorporating prior knowledge into parameterization reduces unknowns and computational burden. Using time-domain electromagnetic data, we identify fresh - saltwater interfaces in the Flemish coastal aquifer. Conventional blocky or smooth deterministic inversions often misrepresent this transition zone as too sharp or too gradual. To address this, we parameterize the zone with two variables - depth and thickness - assuming a linear transition. This retains the compactness of parametric inversion while allowing sharp or gradual interfaces like voxel-based methods. To assess reliability, we invert these parameters stochastically using BEL with Thresholding (BEL1D-T). Results indicate this approach effectively captures uncertainty for synthetic and field data. The transition zone remains uncertain due to survey design and inherent non-uniqueness, yet our probabilistic method achieves this without the heavy computational cost of traditional stochastic approaches.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2025

Non-Abelian Casimir energy in the Curci-Ferrari model through a functional approach

Using functional integral methods, we investigate the non-Abelian Casimir energy in the Curci-Ferrari model, which offers an effective description of the infrared regime of Yang-Mills theory. We consider a 3+1D (resp.\ 2+1D) system of two infinite parallel plates (resp.\ wires) at a fixed distance from each other, with either perfect magnetic conductor (PMC) or perfect electric conductor (PEC) boundary conditions. Imposing the boundary conditions directly in the functional integral by the introduction of suitable auxiliary fields that act as Lagrange multipliers, we obtain a boundary effective action that captures the dynamics of this system. The Casimir energy is then computed both directly from the functional integral and via the energy-momentum tensor, providing equivalent results. We find that the Casimir energy for PEC and PMC conditions differs by a constant factor, which can be traced back to a van Dam--Veltman--Zakharov-like discontinuity (both in 3+1D and 2+1D). Lastly, we show that our analytical results are compatible with a variety of recent numerical lattice simulations of the non-perturbative Yang-Mills Casimir energy, in which a novel non-perturbative mass scale emerges.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

The setting sun diagram with complex external momenta

We revisit the issue of analytically continuing Feynman integrals from Euclidean to Minkowski signature, allowing for generic complex momenta. Although this is well-known in terms of the K\"all\'{e}n-Lehmann representation, we consider potential alternative takes on the same problem and discuss how these are not necessarily equivalent to the K\"all\'en-Lehmann integral outcome. We present our analysis for a simple enough case -- the setting sun diagram in $d=2$ with a real mass -- but already with an eye out to the more general case with complex masses which will further complicate matters.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Probing Quarkonium Diffusion in a Magnetized Quark-Gluon Plasma

Motivated by the potential experimental relevance of magnetically affected heavy-quark diffusion, we consider here a five-dimensional nonlinear Einstein-Born-Infeld-dilaton model to not only holographically model the QCD thermodynamics in a magnetic background, but also to probe the charged inner structure of a heavy quarkonium. The dual model's gravitational equations of motion can be solved in analytical form via the potential reconstruction method. Using a variety of tools -- spectral functions, hydrodynamic expansions or hanging strings -- we study the anisotropic diffusion constants and heavy-quark number susceptibility, each time reporting closed form expressions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Holographic QCD model for heavy and exotic mesons at finite density: A self-consistent dynamical approach

We present a self-consistent dynamical holographic QCD model to investigate the mass spectra and melting behavior of heavy and exotic mesons at finite temperature and finite density. Our approach is based on the Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton (EMD) framework and incorporates an elsewhere already introduced, albeit by hand, phenomenological non-quadratic dilaton profile. This allows one to capture the non-linear Regge trajectories of heavy-flavor mesons and model certain exotic states. We show how to construct such models by actually solving the coupled Einstein, Maxwell, and dilaton field equations, ensuring mathematical self-consistency to replace any ad-hoc input. At finite temperature, we analyze the confinement-deconfinement transition via a Hawking-Page phase transition. We compute the spectral functions, revealing the sequential melting of quarkonia as the temperature is increased. Extending to finite density, we explore the impact of baryon chemical potential on meson stability, showing significant modifications in spectral peaks and effective potentials that indicate a more rapid melting of mesonic states as the chemical potential increases in the deconfined phase. The dual of the small/large black hole transition now indicates towards a first order phase transition line ending at a second order critical point. Interestingly, the spectral functions smoothly cross this phase transition line.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

The Equivalence Theorem at work: manifestly gauge-invariant Abelian Higgs model physics

We reconsider the Equivalence Theorem from an algebraic viewpoint, using an extended BRST symmetry. This version of the Equivalence Theorem is then used to reexpress the Abelian Higgs model action, originally written in terms of undesirable gauge variant field excitations, in terms of gauge-invariant, physical variables, corresponding to the Fr\"ohlich-Morchio-Strocchi composite operators in the original field formulation. Although the ensuing action encompasses an infinite number of vertices and appears to be nonrenormalizable from the powercounting viewpoint, it nevertheless is renormalizable, thanks to the hidden equivalence with the original model. Hence, manifestly gauge-invariant computations are possible. We present an explicit illustration in terms of the gauge-invariant scalar field, its Green's function and corresponding pole mass.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Dynamical edge modes in Maxwell theory from a BRST perspective, with an application to the Casimir energy

Recently, dynamical edge modes (DEM) in Maxwell theory have been constructed using a specific local boundary condition on the horizon. We discuss how to enforce this boundary condition on an infinite parallel plate in the QED vacuum by introducing Lagrange multiplier fields into the action. We carefully introduce appropriate boundary ghosts to maintain BRST invariance. Explicit correspondence of this BRST extended theory with the original DEM formulation is discussed, both directly, and through the correspondence between edge modes and Wilson lines attached to the boundary surface. We then use functional methods to calculate the Casimir energy for the first time with DEM boundary conditions imposed on two infinite parallel plates, both in generalized Coulomb and linear covariant gauge. Depending on the gauge, different fields are contributing, but, after correctly implementing the BRST symmetry, we retrieve the exact same Casimir energy as for two perfectly conducting parallel plates.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Interplay of magnetic field and chemical potential induced anisotropy and frame dependent chaos of a $Q\bar{Q}$ pair in holographic QCD

We investigate the role of both magnetic field and chemical potential on the emergence of chaotic dynamics in the QCD confining string from the holographic principle. An earlier developed bottom-up model of Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity, which mimics QCD features quite well, is used. The qualitative information about the chaos is obtained using the Poincar\'{e} sections and Lyapunov exponents. We find signatures of chaos in energetically disfavored string configurations, that are closer to the horizon, whereas no chaos is observed in energetically favored string configurations that are away from the horizon. Our results depend quite strongly on the frame we consider in the analysis. In the string frame, the chemical potential and the magnetic field suppress the chaotic dynamics in both parallel and perpendicular orientations of the string with respect to the magnetic field. Meanwhile, in the Einstein frame, the magnetic field suppresses/enhances the chaotic dynamics when the string is orientated perpendicular/parallel to the magnetic field, while the chemical potential enhances the chaotic dynamics for both orientations. The reported Lyapunov exponents are consistent with a classical analogue of the MSS bound in the parameter space of the model and we find it to be always satisfied in both frames.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Quantitative imaging of the fresh/saltwater interface with airborne electromagnetics: examining different sources of uncertainty

Knowing the distribution between fresh and saline groundwater is imperative for sustainable and integrated management of water resources in coastal areas. The airborne electromagnetic (AEM) method is increasingly used for hydrogeological mapping over large areas via bulk electrical resistivity. However, accurately and reliably mapping the fresh/saltwater interface (FSI) requires accurate knowledge about the transition zone. The objective is to quantify the uncertainty in using AEM data to inform on the depth of the FSI. The study mimics a dual-moment time-domain SkyTEM sounding recorded in the Belgian coastal plain based on borehole data. It quantifies uncertainty using a differential evolution adaptive Metropolis algorithm to sample the posterior distribution. The results indicate the importance of reliable altitude, pitch and roll logging. Gathering prior knowledge about the transition zone, for example, through borehole logs, significantly improves the estimation of the FSI. The Resolve frequency-domain system, especially in context with very shallow to shallow FSIs, is more suitable for salinity mapping than the time-domain SkyTEM used in the field survey. The depth of the FSI may be defined via various threshold values. The uncertainty of three different thresholds is studied. The FSI based on the middle of the transition zone is the most reliable, while the FSI based on the 1500 mg/L total dissolved solids threshold is the least robust.

physics.geo-ph↗

arXiv2024

Further Evidence for Near-Tsirelson Bell-CHSH Violations in Quantum Field Theory via Haar Wavelets

This paper investigates a recent construction using bumpified Haar wavelets to demonstrate explicit violations of the Bell-Clauser-Horne-Shimony-Holt inequality within the vacuum state in quantum field theory. The construction was tested for massless spinor fields in $(1+1)$-dimensional Minkowski spacetime and is claimed to achieve violations arbitrarily close to an upper bound known as Tsirelson's bound. We show that this claim can be reduced to a mathematical conjecture involving the maximal eigenvalue of a sequence of symmetric matrices composed of integrals of Haar wavelet products. More precisely, the asymptotic eigenvalue of this sequence should approach $\pi$. We present a formal argument using a subclass of wavelets, allowing us to reach $3.11052$. Although a complete proof remains elusive, we present further compelling numerical evidence to support it.

math-ph↗

arXiv2024

Scalar field theory under Robin boundary conditions: two-point function and energy-momentum tensor

We reconsider four-dimensional scalar field theory in presence of Robin boundary conditions on two parallel plates. These boundary conditions are directly imposed in the path integral definition of the theory via auxiliary fields living on the plates. We discuss how this leads to boundary corrections to the standard energy momentum tensor operator. Via a dimensional reduction to an effective three-dimensional boundary theory, we compute the Casimir energy in terms of the plate separation and the two Robin parameters, as well as the scalar field propagator in the presence of the plates. Coincidentally, the boundary contribution vanishes in the expectation value for the vacuum energy, thereby giving results in full accordance with other energy expressions in the literature for the same setup. We also discuss for which values of the Robin parameters this energy is real-valued.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

A Novel Interpolation-Based Method for Solving the One-Dimensional Wave Equation on a Domain with a Moving Boundary

We revisit the problem of solving the one-dimensional wave equation on a domain with moving boundary. In J. Math. Phys. 11, 2679 (1970), Moore introduced an interesting method to do so. As only in rare cases, a closed analytical solution is possible, one must turn to perturbative expansions of Moore's method. We investigate the then made minimal assumption for convergence of the perturbation series, namely that the boundary position should be an analytic function of time. Though, we prove here that the latter requirement is not a sufficient condition for Moore's method to converge. We then introduce a novel numerical approach based on interpolation which also works for fast boundary dynamics. In comparison with other state-of-the-art numerical methods, our method offers greater speed if the wave solution needs to be evaluated at many points in time or space, whilst preserving accuracy. We discuss two variants of our method, either based on a conformal coordinate transformation or on the method of characteristics, together with interpolation.

math.NA↗

arXiv2024

A dynamical Einstein-Born-Infeld-dilaton model and holographic quarkonium melting in a magnetic field

We generalize the potential reconstruction method to set up a dynamical Einstein-Born-Infeld-dilaton model, which we then use to study holographic quarkonium melting in an external magnetic field. The non-linear nature of the model allows to couple the magnetic field to the quarkonium inner structure without having to introduce back-reacting charged flavour degrees of freedom. The magnetic field dependent melting temperature is computed from the spectral functions and suggests a switch from inverse magnetic to magnetic catalysis when the magnetic field increases. We also discuss the differences due to the anisotropy brought in by the external field.

hep-th↗