arXiv subjects

Eric V. Steinfelds

Publications and source records attributed to Eric V. Steinfelds.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Generator Histories and Parity-Odd Curvature in Lorentzian Topology Change

Lorentzian topology change may be resolved into an ordered sequence of localized, orientation-sensitive operations rather than treated solely as a global transition between spatial manifolds. We develop a generator-history framework in which topology-changing spacetimes are represented algebraically as compositions of elementary local events, independent of dynamics, quantization, or anomaly inflow. Braid groups arise as the minimal realization of ordered, invertible pairwise exchanges, while higher-valence generators extend the construction to networked processes. Within this framework we identify parity-odd conformal curvature as the unique nontrivial local curvature pseudoscalar (without derivatives) capable of aggregating oriented generator content in four-dimensional Lorentzian vacuum geometry. The dual Weyl contraction changes sign under orientation reversal and therefore isolates chiral generator accumulation, while parity-even curvature scalars are insensitive to such structure. The associated spacetime integral functions as a covariant geometric diagnostic of chiral topology change that depends on generator histories and does not descend to endpoint-only equivalence classes obtained by Markov-type coarse-graining. The resulting picture isolates a pre-quantum geometric layer beneath spectral asymmetry: oriented generator dynamics induce parity-odd curvature compatible with the Pontryagin density appearing in the Atiyah Patodi Singer index theorem yet remains defined entirely within classical Lorentzian geometry. This framework clarifies the algebraic and geometric substrate underlying chiral topology change without introducing new gravitational dynamics or topological invariants.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2026

Interpolated Topology Change in a Spin Cobordism and the Chiral Weyl Curvature Diagnostic

Topology change in Lorentzian quantum gravity demands geometric regulators that control curvature, spin structure, and chirality during nontrivial interpolations. We develop a framework for regulated topology change based on smooth Lorentzian spin cobordisms with interpolating metrics, allowing a transient failure of global hyperbolicity while preserving smoothness, Lorentz signature, and spin compatibility. Within this framework we introduce the Chiral Weyl Curvature Diagnostic, a curvature-based functional that weights topology-changing geometries by conformal curvature, spin admissibility, and topological complexity. The diagnostic functional is built from Weyl curvature invariants and includes a parity-odd dual Weyl term that is sensitive to geometric chirality. Spin consistency is enforced via a Stiefel-Whitney constraint, ensuring that only physically admissible cobordisms contribute. As an example, we construct a smooth spin cobordism between a Morris-Thorne wormhole and asymptotically flat Minkowski spacetime. In the throat region the curvature response is shown to be Weyl-dominated, and the parity-odd Weyl contribution sharply distinguishes chiral knotted embeddings while vanishing for amphichiral configurations. We then show that braids provide a natural language of throat dynamics: evolving wormhole throats trace time-dependent braid movies, with elementary braid generators representing the fundamental topological operations of the cobordism. Replacing crossing number by a braid-based complexity refines the diagnostic functional to operate at the level of these elementary exchanges and extends it naturally to multithroat and networked configurations.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2023

The van der Waals Hexaquark Chemical Potential in Dense Stellar Matter

We explore the chemical potential of a QCD-motivated van der Waals (VDW) phase change model for the six-quark color-singlet, strangeness S=-2 particle known as the hexaquark with quark content (uuddss). The hexaquark may have internal structure, indicated by short range correlations, that allow for non-color-singlet diquark and triquark configurations whose interactions will change the magnitude of the chemical potential. In the multicomponent VDW Equation of State (EoS), the quark-quark particle interaction terms are sensitive to the QCD color factor, causing the pairing of these terms to give different interaction strengths for their respective contributions to the chemical potential. This results in a critical temperature near 163 MeV for the color-singlet states and tens of MeV below this for various diquark and triquark states. The VDW chemical potential is also sensitive to the number density, leading to chemical potential isotherms that exhibit spinodal extrema, which also depend on the internal hexaquark configurations. These extrema determine regions of metastability for the mixed states near the critical point. We use this chemical potential with the chemical potential modified TOV equations to investigate the properties of hexaquark formation in cold compact stellar cores in beta equilibrium. We find thresholds for the hexaquark layers and changes in the maximum mass values that are consistent with observations from high mass compact stellar objects such as PSR 09043 + 10 and GW 190814. In general, we find that the VDW-TOV model has an upper stability mass and radius bound for a chemical potential of 1340 MeV with a compactness C~0.2.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Two-Group Flux Analysis of Neutrons which enter, internally scatter, and often escape a Shielding Layer of Iron -- with respective Group Settings circa one MeV and kilo-eV

It has been long recognized that radiation transport theory is the foundation for the planning and analysis of X-ray (gamma-ray) radiation therapy and for imaging. In less common but appropriate occasions as an alternative to X-rays or gammas, neutron radiation is used in oncological treatments or in imaging of patients. The following work is also potentially of interest to Radiation Safety Planners. Especially in regard to uses for neutron beams, we introduce and present a deterministic and semi-analytical method for doing transport analysis on neutrons and which are judiciously set to be distributed into two energy groups. There are advantages for doing such 2-group and higher multi-group analysis of radiative particles (i.e. neutrons and photons). These advantages are that we can more directly keep track of what percentages of radiative particles are close to the original high energy and how many are at significantly lower energy. For photons, the profile of any build-up function shows that the function is slightly larger than 1.0 at entry, then it rises to perhaps 2 or 3 within roughly one mean free path of the fast primary particles, and finally approaches the asymptote of 1.0 as the penetration depth gets progressively larger. Neutrons deserve a separate treatment. Although it is lengthier, our algorithm and formulation is much more complete than the popular formula used among radiologists where exponential decay is modified with a buildup coefficient. Moreover, a buildup function for neutron fluxes do not appear to be widely offered in radiological and radiation safety publications. This paper demonstrates a method to predict the ratio of high energy (circa 1 MeV) neutrons over low energy neutrons (in a group below 0.201 MeV) which are scattered backwards and forwards out of walls of Fe-56 at various thicknesses.

physics.app-ph↗

arXiv2018

Raman Detection Threshold Measurements for Acetic Acid in Martian Regolith Simulant JSC-1 in the Presence of Hydrated Metallic Sulfates

Several measurements, including the data from the laser spectrometer in the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite on the Curiosity Rover in Gale crater, have measured seasonal variations in atmospheric methane at the 0.7 ppbv (parts per billion volume) level. As a result, models have been proposed to understand the methane production including novel chemical, geological, meteorological, and biological mechanisms. Biological models often rely on methanogenic extremophile archaea which might be similar to some Earth based organisms which can be studied exhaustively in a laboratory setting. Such organisms might thrive in a subsurface ecosystem involving water and methane and as such could leave a unique biosignature in the Martian regolith that could be preserved over extended periods of time. The resulting mixture of carboxyl, acetyl and hydroxyl groups blended with the metallic sulfates and regolith constituents could produce a Raman signature detectable on the next rover mission if the concentration is high enough. Here we measure the 532 nm and the 780 nm Raman spectra of a variety of molar concentrations of several hydrated metallic sulfates mixed with JSC-1 Martian regolith simulant to identify the signature concentration thresholds for the isolated C=O Raman peak from acetic acid. We find a Raman peak removed from most fragmented molecular Raman bands near 1608 cm-1 using the 532 nm laser for the Fe and Mg sulfates to yield a threshold in the 120 - 160 ppmv range for a cutoff S/N of 2.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2017

Analysis and Monte Carlo Modelling of Multiple Scattering of a Beam of Neutrons or Photons off of the Two Surfaces of a Broad Material Target as a Function of its Thickness

We consider the scattering of neutrons and photons on solid volume rectangular targets. It is common to treat this problem using the Maxwell Boltzmann Transport Equation and to use underlying symmetries to simplify the calculation. For isotropic scattering centers we can introduce a direct Fredholm integral equation approach to finding the flux. Here we compare a Monte Carlo evaluation of the resulting Fredholm equation to a deterministic iteration method of solution. We include a kernel based method for estimating the overall angular dependence. We find that for simple geometries utilized in studies of radiative dosimetry, of neutron shielding assessments, and indirectly of criticality that we get reasonably rapid convergence of flux and current values.

physics.comp-ph↗