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F. A. Barone

Publications and source records attributed to F. A. Barone.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Point-Like Charges and Dirichlet Boundary Conditions in a Nonlocal Scalar Field Theory

In this paper, we investigate novel classical non-local effects in scalar field theory arising from the presence of external sources and a material boundary. Specifically, we consider a model in which the standard Klein-Gordon field theory is modified by a non-local term. First, we analyze the interaction between stationary field sources modeled as point-like scalar charges. In specific configurations, the resulting interparticle potential reduces to the Cornell form. Then, we examine the model in the presence of a Dirichlet plane, computing both the scalar field propagator and the interaction force between the Dirichlet plane and a point-like scalar charge. Additionally, we demonstrate the failure of the image method in this non-local context and compare our results with those obtained in non-local electrodynamics and in the standard Klein-Gordon field theory.

hep-th

On the magnetic counterpart of the Uehling correction

In this work, we investigate the magnetic properties of the quantum vacuum in the context of QED. We calculate the quantum relativistic correction of virtual particle--anti-particle pair creation to the field of a classical point-like idealized magnet. Using such correction, we find the induced currents stemming from the effect of the polarization of the vacuum, which behaves like a paramagnetic medium. We also calculate the correction to the electric dipole potential and show that the well-known symmetry between the classical fields of point electric and magnetic dipoles is broken at the quantum level. Lastly, we apply the corrections to calculate the contributions of the hyperfine structure in a simple hydrogen-like atom.

hep-ph

A Two-Gauge Field Model for Magnetoelectric Boundaries

This work introduces a field-theoretical model designed to simulate the presence of material layers with magnetoelectric properties. The model comprises the standard Maxwell field coupled to a Chern-Simons field confined to a planar layer. The electromagnetic behavior of the boundary is emulated through the interaction between the Chern-Simons and Maxwell fields, governed by two parameters: the Chern-Simons mass and the coupling constant between the fields. Both parameters can be adjusted to reflect the specific properties of different materials. We compute the exact propagator of the theory and employ it to investigate several physical properties. Our analysis focuses on phenomena that arise from the presence of external sources coupled to both the Maxwell and Chern-Simons fields, considering various scenarios. In the Chern-Simons sector, the sources emulate defects in the crystal lattice of the material layer. The main objective of this paper is to present the proposed model and to explore its behavior in the simple context of a single planar material interface. We also suggest possible extensions of the model to more general configurations.

hep-th

The Stationary Klein-Gordon Equation with a Delta-like Source: A Generalized Function Approach

This work aims to initiate a discussion on finding solutions to non-homoge\-neous differential equations in terms of generalized functions. For simplicity, we conduct the analysis within the specific context of the stationary Klein-Gordon equation with a point-like source, identifying a generalized function that solves such an equation and aligns with the solution obtained through the Fourier approach with dimensional regularization. In addition to being regular at the source singularity, a notable advantage of our solution is its presentation as a single expression, eliminating the need for piecewise definitions. The arguments presented here are applicable to a broader range of situations, offering a novel approach to addressing divergences in field theories using generalized functions. Moreover, we anticipate that the approach introduced in this work could provide a new method for handling Green functions regularized at coincident points, thereby simplifying the renorma\-lization process in a wide range of theories.

math-ph

Generalized Neumann boundary condition for the scalar field

In this paper, we explore the Klein-Gordon field theory in $(D+1)$ dimensions in the presence of a $(D-1)$-dimensional hyperplanar $\delta$-like potential that couples quadratically to the field derivatives. This model effectively generalizes the Neumann boundary condition for the scalar field on the plane, as it reduces to this condition in an appropriate limit of the coupling parameter. Specifically, we calculate the modifications to the Feynman propagator induced by the planar potential and analyze the interaction energy between a stationary point-like source and the potential, obtaining a general and exact expression. We demonstrate that, under certain conditions relating the field mass and the coupling constant to the external potential, the vacuum state becomes unstable, giving rise to a pair-creation phenomenon that resembles the Schwinger effect in quantum electrodynamics.

hep-th

The role of scalar current coupling along surfaces

In this paper we propose a coupling between the complex scalar field and an external Dirac delta-like planar potential. The coupling is achieved through the Klein-Gordon current normal to the plane where the potential is concentrated. The results are obtained exactly and exhibit many peculiarities. We show that a complex scalar charge does not interact with the potential, but the potential modifies the interaction between two scalar charges if they are placed on opposite sides of the planar potential. When the coupling constant between the potential and the field goes to infinity, the classical field solutions satisfy a kind of MIT boundary conditions along the plane where the potential is concentrated.

hep-th

Field sources in a planar anisotropic CPT-odd gauge model

In the present paper we study some new classical Lorentz violating effects in planar electrodynamics due to the presence of stationary point-like field sources. Starting from the Carroll-Field-Jackiw model defined in (3+1) dimensions, which belongs to the electromagnetic CPT-odd sector of the Standard Model Extension (SME), we apply the dimensional reduction procedure obtaining a (2+1)-dimensional model that encompasses an electromagnetic sector composed of the Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics, a pure scalar sector described by a massless Klein-Gordon field, and a mixed sector where the background vector mediates contributions involving both the scalar and the gauge fields. For all the sectors of this planar theory, we explore some physical phenomena that arise from the interactions between external sources. Specifically, we obtain perturbative effects up to second order in the background vector related to the presence of both electric and scalar planar charges and Dirac points.

hep-th

Features of planar Lee-Wick electrodynamics

In this letter we study some aspects of the planar Lee-Wick electrodynamics near a perfectly conducting line (unidimensional mirror). Specifically, the modified Lee-wick propagator due to the presence of a conducting line is calculated, and the interaction between the mirror and the point-like charge is investigated. It is shown that the behavior of this interaction is very different from the one already known for the $(3+1)$-dimensional Lee-Wick electrodynamics, where we have a planar mirror. It is also shown that the image method is not valid in planar Lee-Wick electrodynamics and the dimensional reduction yields a stronger taming of divergences.

hep-th

Higher order derivatives extension of Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics in the presence of field sources and material boundaries

In this paper we consider some new classical effects obtained for a planar electrodynamics with the presence of a higher order derivatives term. The model can be interpreted as a kind of extension for the $3d$ Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics with higher order derivatives. We consider setups with stationary field sources describing point-like charges and Dirac points. We also investigate this model with the presence of a conducting line (in $3d$ dimensions, it is the equivalent of a conducting plate in $4d$ dimensions). In this case we calculate the propagator for the gauge field and the interaction force between the conducting line and a point-like charge, as well as the force between the conducting line and a Dirac point, the source for vortex field solutions. It is shown that the image method is not valid in any case. We also compare the obtained results along the paper with the corresponding ones obtained with the standard Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics [1].

hep-th

Magnetoelectric boundary simulated by a Chern-Simons-like model

In this work we study some physical phenomena that emerge in the vicinity of a magnetoelectric boundary. For simplicity, we restrict to the case of a planar boundary described by a coupling between the gauge field with a planar external Chern-Simons-like potential. The results are obtained exactly. We compute the correction undergone by the photon propagator due to the presence of the Chern-Simons coupling and we investigate the interaction between a stationary point-like charge and the magnetoelectric boundary. In the limit of a perfect mirror, where the coupling constant between the field and the potential diverges, we recover the image method. For a non perfect mirror, we show that we have an attenuated image charge and, in addition, an image magnetic monopole whose field strength does not exhibit the presence of the undesirable and artificial divergences introduced by Dirac strings. We also study the interaction between the plate and a quantum particle with spin. In this case we have a kind of charge-magnetic dipole interaction due to the magnetoelectric properties of the plate.

hep-th

Dirichlet boundary condition for the Lee-Wick-like scalar model

Lee-Wick-like scalar model near a Dirichlet plate is considered in this work. The modified propagator for the scalar field due to the presence of a Dirichlet boundary is computed, and the interaction between the plate and a point-like scalar charge is analysed. The non-validity of the image method is investigated and the results are compared with the corresponding ones obtained for the Lee-Wick gauge field and for the standard Klein-Gordon field.

hep-th

New point-like sources and a conducting surface in Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics

We investigate some aspects of the Maxwell-Chern-Simons electrodynamics focusing on physical effects produced by the presence of stationary sources and a perfectly conducting plate (mirror). Specifically, in addition to point charges, we propose two new types of point-like sources called topological source and Dirac point, and we also consider physical effects in various configurations that involve them. We show that the Dirac point is the source of the vortex field configurations. The propagator of the gauge field due to the presence of a conducting plate and the interaction forces between the plate and point-like sources are computed. It is shown that the image method is valid for the point-like charges as well as for Dirac points. For the topological source we show that the image method is not valid and the symmetry of spatial refection on the mirror is broken. In all setups considered, it is shown that the topological source leads to the emergence of torques.

hep-th

Mirrors and field sources in a Lorentz-violating scalar field theory

In this paper we consider different classical effects in a model for a scalar field incorporating Lorentz symmetry breaking due to the presence of a single background vector v^μ coupled to its derivative. We perform an investigation of the interaction energy between stationary steady sources concentrated along parallel branes with an arbitrary number of dimensions, and derive from this study some physical consequences. For the case of the scalar dipole we show the emergence of a nontrivial torque, which is distinctive sign of the Lorentz violation. We also investigate a similar model in the presence of a semi-transparent mirror. For a general relative orientation between the mirror and the v^μ, we are able to perform calculations perturbatively in v^μ up to second order. We also find results without recourse to approximations for two special cases, that of the mirror and v^μ being parallel or perpendicular to each other. For all these configurations, the propagator for the scalar field and the interaction force between the mirror and a point-like field source are computed. It is shown that the image method is valid in our model for the Dirichlet's boundary condition, and we argue that this is a non-trivial result. We also show the emergence of a torque on the mirror depending on its orientation with respect to the Lorentz violating background. This is a new effect with no counterpart in theories with Lorentz symmetry in the presence of mirrors.

hep-th

The point-charge self-energy in a nonminimal Lorentz violating Maxwell Electrodynamics

In this letter we study the self-energy of a point-like charge for the electromagnetic field in a non minimal Lorentz symmetry breaking scenario in a $n+1$ dimensional space time. We consider two variations of a model where the Lorentz violation is caused by a background vector $d^ν$ that appears in a higher derivative interaction. We restrict our attention to the case where $d^μ$ is a time-like background vector, namely $d^{2}=d^μd_μ>0$, and we verify that the classical self-energy is finite for any odd spatial dimension $n$ and diverges for even $n$. We also make some comments regarding obstacles in the quantization of the proposed model.

hep-th

Higher order derivative operators as quantum corrections

In this paper we propose a non-minimal, and ghost free, coupling between the gauge field and the fermionic one from which we obtain, perturbatively, terms with higher order derivatives as quantum corrections to the photon effective action in the low energy regime. We calculate the one-loop effective action of the photon field and show that, in addition to the Euler-Heisenberg terms, the well known Lee-Wick term, $\sim F_{μν}\partial_α\partial^αF^{μν}$, arises in low energy regime as a quantum correction from the model. We also obtain the electron self energy in leading order.

hep-th

Effects of the fermionic vacuum polarization in QED

Some effects of vacuum polarization in QED due to the presence of field sources are investigated. We focus on effects with no counter-part in Maxwell electrodynamics. The the Uehling interaction energy between two stationary point-like charges is calculated exactly in terms of Meijer-G functions. Effects induced on a hydrogen atom by the vacuum polarization in the vicinity of a Dirac string are considered. We also calculate the interaction between two parallel Dirac strings and corrections to the energy levels of a quantum particle constrained to move on a ring circumventing a solenoid.

hep-th

Field sources in a CPT-even Lorentz-violation Maxwell electrodynamics

This paper is dedicated to the study of interactions between external sources for the electromagnetic field in a model which exhibits Lorentz symmetry breaking. We investigate such interactions in the CPT-even photon sector of the Standard Model Extension (SME), where the Lorentz symmetry breaking is caused by a background tensor $K_{(F)αβστ}$. Since the background tensor is very tiny, we treat it perturbatively up to first order and we focus on physical phenomena which have no counterpart in Maxwell electrodynamics. We consider effects related to field sources describing point-like charges, straight line currents and Dirac strings. We also investigate the so called Aharonov-Bohm bound states in a Lorentz-symmetry breaking scenario. We use atomic experimental data to verify if we could impose upper bounds to the Lorentz-symmetry breaking parameters involved. We also use some overestimated constrains for the Lorentz-symmetry breaking parameters in order to investigate if the obtained results could be relevant for condensed matter systems.

hep-th

New effects in the interaction between electromagnetic sources mediated by nonminimal Lorentz violating interactions

This paper is dedicated to the study of interactions between external sources for the electromagnetic field in a Lorentz symmetry breaking scenario. We focus on a particular higher derivative, Lorentz violating interaction that arises from a specific model that was argued to lead to interesting effects in the low energy phenomenology of light pseudoscalars interacting with photons. The kind of higher derivative Lorentz violating interaction we discuss do not appear in the well known Standard Model Extension, therefore they are called nonminimal. They are usually expected to be relevant only at very high energies, but we argue they might also induce relevant effects in low energy phenomena. Special attention is given for phenomena that have no counterpart in Maxwell theory.

hep-th