arXiv subjects

J. Julve

Publications and source records attributed to J. Julve.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2016

The complex Dirac Delta, Plemelj formula, and integral representations

The extension of the Dirac Delta distribution (DD) to the complex field is needed for dealing with the complex-energy solutions of the Schrödinger equation, typically when calculating their inner products. In quantum scattering theory the DD usually arises as an integral representation involving plane waves of real momenta. We deal with the complex extension of these representations by using a Gaussian regularization. Their interpretation as distributions requires prescribing the integration path and a corresponding space of test functions. An extension of the Sokhotski-Plemelj formula is obtained. This definition of distributions is alternative to the historic one referred to surface integrations on the complex plane.

math-ph↗

arXiv2013

General inner products for energy eigenstates

The features of the inner products between all the types of real and complex-energy solutions of the Schrödinger equation for 1-dimensional cut-off quantum potentials are worked out using a Gaussian regularization. A general Master Solution is introduced which describes any of the above solutions as particular cases. From it, a Master Inner Product is obtained which yields all the particular products. We show that the Outgoing and the Incoming Boundary Conditions fully determine the location of the momenta respectively in the lower and upper half complex plane even for purely imaginary momenta (anti-bound and bound solutions).

math-ph↗

arXiv2013

A perturbation approach to Translational Gravity

Within a gauge formulation of 3+1 gravity relying on a nonlinear realization of the group of isometries of space-time, a natural expansion of the metric tensor arises and a simple choice of the gravity dynamical variables is possible. We show that the expansion parameter can be identified with the gravitational constant and that the first order depends only on a diagonal matrix in the ensuing perturbation approach. The explicit first order solution is calculated in the static isotropic case, and its general structure is worked out in the harmonic gauge.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

Dynamical variables in Gauge-Translational Gravity

Assuming that the natural gauge group of gravity is given by the group of isometries of a given space, for a maximally symmetric space we derive a model in which gravity is essentially a gauge theory of translations. Starting from first principles we verify that a nonlinear realization of the symmetry provides the general structure of this gauge theory, leading to a simple choice of dynamical variables of the gravity field corresponding, at first order, to a diagonal matrix, whereas the non-diagonal elements contribute only to higher orders.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

Inner products of resonance solutions in 1-D quantum barriers

The properties of a prescription for the inner products of the resonance (Gamow states), scattering (Dirac kets), and bound states for 1-dimensional quantum barriers are worked out. The divergent asypmtotic behaviour of the Gamow states is regularized using a Gaussian convergence factor first introduced by Zel'dovich. With this prescription, most of these states (with discrete complex energies) are found to be orthogonal to each other, to the bound states, and to the Dirac kets, except when they are neighbors, in which case the inner product is divergent. Therefore, as it happens for the continuum scattering states, the norm of the resonant ones remains non-calculable. Thus, they exhibit properties half way between the (continuum real) Dirac-delta orthogonality and the (discrete real) Kronecker-delta orthogonality of the bound states.

math-ph↗

arXiv2008

Tunnelling of plane waves through a square barrier

The time evolution of plane waves in the presence of a 1-dimensional square quantum barrier is considered. Comparison is made between the cases of an infinite and a cut-off (shutter) initial plane wave. The difference is relevant when the results are applied to the analysis of the tunnelling regime. This work is focused on the analytical calculation of the time-evolved solution and highlights the contribution of the resonant (Gamow) states. PACS numbers: 11.10.Ef, 11.10.Lm, 04.60

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Infinite plane wave evolution in a 1-D square quantum barrier

We analytically compute the time evolution of an initial infinite plane wave in the presence of a 1-dimensional square quantum barrier. This calculation generalizes the analysis of the shutter problem and sets the basis for the calculation of the transmission of general wave packets, aiming to work out the explicit contribution of the resonant (Gamow) states. The method relies mainly on the analytical properties of the Green function. The role of separate boundary conditions on the Green function and on the evolution equation is highlighted. As in previous works on related problems, only the determination of the resonant momenta requires numerical methods.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2001

Higher-Derivative Boson Field Theories and Constrained Second-Order Theories

As an alternative to the covariant Ostrogradski method, we show that higher-derivative relativistic Lagrangian field theories can be reduced to second differential-order by writing them directly as covariant two-derivative theories involving Lagrange multipliers and new fields. Despite the intrinsic non-covariance of the Dirac's procedure used to deal with the constraints, the explicit Lorentz invariance is recovered at the end. We develop this new setting on the grounds of a simple scalar model and then its applications to generalized electrodynamics and higher-derivative gravity are worked out. For a wide class of field theories this method is better suited than Ostrogradski's for a generalization to 2n-derivative theories

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Time of arrival in the presence of interactions

We introduce a formalism for the calculation of the time of arrival t at a space point for particles traveling through interacting media. We develop a general formulation that employs quantum canonical transformations from the free to the interacting cases to construct t in the context of the Positive Operator Valued Measures. We then compute the probability distribution in the times of arrival at a point for particles that have undergone reflection, transmission or tunneling off finite potential barriers. For narrow Gaussian initial wave packets we obtain multimodal time distributions of the reflected packets and a combination of the Hartman effect with unexpected retardation in tunneling. We also employ explicitly our formalism to deal with arrivals in the interaction region for the step and linear potentials.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1999

Time of arrival through a quantum barrier

We introduce a formalism for the calculation of the time of arrival t at a detector of particles traveling through interacting environments. We develop a general formulation that employs quantum canonical transformations from the free to the interacting cases to compute t. We interpret our results in terms of a Positive Operator Valued Measure. We then compute the probability distribution in times of arrival at a detector of those particles that, after their initial preparation, have undergone quantum tunneling or reflection due to the presence of potential barriers. We obtain the expected retardation or advancement for transmitted wave packets, and non-foreseen double bump structures for some cases of reflection.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1998

Higher-derivative scalar field theories as constrained second-order theories

As an alternative to the covariant Ostrogradski method, we show that higher-derivative relativistic Lagrangian field theories can be reduced to second differential-order by writing them directly as covariant two-derivative theories involving Lagrange multipliers and new fields. Notwithstanding the intrinsic non-covariance of the Dirac's procedure used to deal with the constraints, the Lorentz invariance is recovered at the end. We develope this new setting for a simple scalar model and then its applications to generalized electrodynamics and higher-derivative gravity are outlined. This method is better suited than Ostrogradski's for a generalization to 2n-derivative theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

Gauge Fixing in Higher Derivative Gravity

Linearized four-derivative gravity with a general gauge fixing term is considered. By a Legendre transform and a suitable diagonalization procedure it is cast into a second-order equivalent form where the nature of the physical degrees of freedom, the gauge ghosts, the Weyl ghosts, and the intriguing "third ghosts", characteristic to higher-derivative theories, is made explicit. The symmetries of the theory and the structure of the compensating Faddeev-Popov ghost sector exhibit non-trivial peculiarities.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1998

Ostrogradski Formalism for Higher-Derivative Scalar Field Theories

We carry out the extension of the Ostrogradski method to relativistic field theories. Higher-derivative Lagrangians reduce to second differential-order with one explicit independent field for each degree of freedom. We consider a higher-derivative relativistic theory of a scalar field and validate a powerful order-reducing covariant procedure by a rigorous phase-space analysis. The physical and ghost fields appear explicitly. Our results strongly support the formal covariant methods used in higher-derivative gravity.

hep-th↗

arXiv1995

Degrees of Freedom of Arbitrarily Higher-Derivative Field Theories

As an example of what happens with physically relevant theories like effective gravity, we consider the covariant relativistic theory of a scalar field of arbitrarily higher differential order. A procedure based on the Legendre transformation and suitable field redefinitions allows to recast it as a theory of second order with one explicit independent field for each degree of freedom. The physical and ghost fields are then apparent. The full (classical) equivalence of both Higher and Lower Derivative versions is shown. An artifact of the method is the appearance of irrelevant spurious fields which are devoid of any dynamical content.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1994

Nonlinear Gauge Realization of Spacetime Symmetries Including Translations

We present a general scheme for the nonlinear gauge realizations of spacetime groups on coset spaces of the groups considered. In order to show the relevance of the method for the rigorous treatment of the translations in gravitational gauge theories, we apply it in particular to the affine group. This is an illustration of the family of spacetime symmetries having the form of a semidirect product $H\semidirect T$, where $H$ is the stability subgroup and $T$ are the translations . The translational component of the connection behaves like a true tensor under $H$ when coset realizations are involved.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1994

Gauge fixing in higher derivative field theories

Higher Derivative (HD) Field Theories can be transformed into second order equivalent theories with a direct particle interpretation. In a simple model involving abelian gauge symmetries we examine the fate of the possible gauge fixings throughout this process. This example is a useful test bed for HD theories of gravity and provides a nice intuitive interpretation of the "third ghost" occurring there and in HD gauge theories when a HD gauge fixing is adopted.

hep-th↗