arXiv subjects

Jay Armas

Publications and source records attributed to Jay Armas.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Finite-volume scheme for first-order viscoresistive relativistic magnetohydrodynamics

We present a numerical implementation of dissipative relativistic magnetohydrodynamics based on Bemfica-Disconzi-Noronha-Kovtun (BDNK) theory, in which first-order corrections render the equations causal without introducing additional dynamical variables. We show how these corrections can be incorporated in a finite-volume scheme describing the coupled dissipation of energy, momentum, and magnetic field, with the latter treated as a one-form charge. While a minimal set of BDNK terms can convert diffusive equations into telegrapher-type equations, we find that in the ultra-relativistic limit an additional correction is required for the system to behave in a stable and causal manner. With this set of equations, we develop an efficient method for primitive-variable recovery and validate the implementation through an analytical benchmark and various two-dimensional simulations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Hyperscaling of spatial fluctuations constrains the development of urban populations

Urban populations exhibit fractal organization and systematic scaling regularities, yet the scaling exponents reported across cities vary substantially, challenging existing theory. Using 100~m gridded population maps for 477 urban areas spanning the Netherlands (2000--2023) and major world cities (1975--2020), we recursively coarse-grain each city and quantify how the mean and variance of inhabitants in square grid cells of side length $\ell$ scale with $\ell$. This yields two exponents, $\beta$ from $\langle N_\ell\rangle\sim \ell^{\beta}$ and $\gamma$ from $\mathrm{Var}(N_\ell)\sim \ell^{\gamma}$, where in the small-$\ell$ limit $\beta$ equals the planar fractal dimension of populated space. Across cities within a given year, $\gamma$ depends linearly on $\beta$. Compiling $>$10,000 exponent estimates over five decades shows that this hyperscaling relation is robust yet non-universal: its slope and intercept vary across continents and drift systematically in time, trending toward the limiting form $\gamma\simeq 2+\beta$. A mean-field (independent-cell) argument predicts a quadratic mean--variance mapping and cannot reproduce the observed $\beta$--$\gamma$ dependence, implying strong spatial correlations. We derive a correlation-aware variance decomposition in which $\gamma$ is controlled by a correlation dimension $D_c$; in the correlation-dominated regime $\gamma=2+D_c$. If large maturing cities, as are the ones selected in our dataset, evolve to effective monofractal ($D_c\simeq \beta$) cities, the asymptotic prediction becomes $\gamma\simeq 2+\beta$, consistent with the observed temporal drift. This interdependence links urban form and fluctuations, constrains mechanistic growth models, and implies scaling predictions for spatial indicators built from local means and variances.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2026

Null fluid/gravity correspondence

We construct a new class of perturbative asymptotically Anti-de Sitter pp-wave spacetimes by performing a long-wavelength expansion of Kaigorodov metrics in arbitrary spacetime dimensions. Holographically, these spacetimes are described by a null fluid hydrodynamic expansion around null states in the conformal field theory, which can be obtained as zero temperature and infinite momentum limits of finite temperature states. Building on this, we explicitly show that special cases of this null fluid/gravity correspondence can be obtained as an ultra-relativistic limit of the usual fluid/gravity correspondence in which the temperature tends to zero while the flow approaches the speed of light. We also extend these results to the context of the blackfold approach in which the corresponding pp-wave spacetimes are asymptotically flat and can be obtained as infinite temperature limits of boosted black branes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

Thermodynamics of ideal spin fluids and pseudo-gauge ambiguity

Conserved currents of relativistic spin fluids derived from microscopic models are known to violate local thermodynamic relations. We present a systematic analysis of pseudo-gauge improvements in ideal spin hydrodynamics and identify a family of pseudo-gauges where standard thermodynamic relations are satisfied. We quantify pseudo-gauge ambiguities in the spin equation of state and derive universal thermodynamic relations that apply to conserved currents in any pseudo-gauge. As an application, we extract the thermodynamic variables and equations of state for free Dirac fermions and scalar fields.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Null matter and the ultrarelativistic origin of hydrodynamics at zero temperature

We uncover a universal sector of relativistic fluid dynamics by taking a novel ultrarelativistic limit in which the temperature tends to zero while the flow simultaneously approaches the speed of light. In this regime, hydrodynamics becomes an effective theory of \emph{null matter}, characterised by a preferred null vector, a preferred scale, and their gradients. We show that this theory of null matter constitutes an example of a hydrodynamic theory that can be linearly stable and causal in an arbitrary choice of frame. The framework developed here for null matter can offer insights into ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions, astrophysical phenomena with inherently large Lorentz factors, and the dynamics of black hole horizons.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

On the temperature of an active nematic

We employ a novel hydrodynamic framework for active matter coupled to an environment to study the local temperature of an active nematic, assuming proximity to thermal equilibrium. We show that, due to the mechanosensitivity of fuel consumption, linearized temperature correlations in a homogeneous active nematic steady state remain unaffected by activity. However, we demonstrate that local shearing and twisting cause a confined active nematic undergoing a spontaneous flow transition to develop a distinctive inhomogeneous temperature profile, serving as a thermal signature of activity.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2025

Chiral anomaly from (anomalous) spin hydrodynamics

We show that the low energy fluctuations of spinning black Dp branes are described by a theory of spin hydrodynamics on a spacetime $\mathbb{M}_{p+1}\times \mathbb{T}^{n+2}$ in which the fluid is flowing on $\mathbb{M}_{p+1}$ and spinning on $\mathbb{T}^{n+2}$. Focusing on the hydrodynamic regime of $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, we provide a geometric interpretation of the R-current anomaly in terms of a gravitational anomaly from the ten-dimensional point of view. This follows from the holographic duality between a spinning fluid in ten dimensions and an anomalous chiral fluid in four dimensions. We comment on the relations between the theory of spin hydrodynamics introduced here and other theories of spin hydrodynamics in the context of heavy-ion collisions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Polarisation in increasingly connected societies

Explanations of polarization often rely on one of the three mechanisms: homophily, bounded confidence, and community-based interactions. Models based on these mechanisms consider the lack of interactions as the main cause of polarization. Given the increasing connectivity in modern society, this explanation of polarization may be insufficient. We aim to show that in involvement-based models, society becomes more polarized as its connectedness increases. To this end, we propose a minimal voter-type model (called I-voter) that incorporates involvement as a key mechanism in opinion formation and study its dependence on network connectivity. We describe the steady-state behaviour of the model analytically, at the mean-field and the moment-hierarchy levels and stress the generality of our findings by considering various extensions and different network topologies.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2025

Resistive relativistic magnetohydrodynamics without Amperes Law

Resistive magnetohydrodynamics is thought to play a key role in transient astrophysical phenomena such as black hole flares and neutron star magnetospheres. When performing numerical simulations of resistive magnetohydrodynamics, one is faced with the issue that Amperes law becomes stiff in the high conductivity limit which poses challenges to the numerical evolution. We show that using a description of resistive magnetohydrodynamics based on higher form symmetry, one can perform simulations with a generalized dual Faraday tensor without having to use Amperes Law, thereby avoiding the stiffness problem. We also explain the relation of this dual model to a traditional description of resistive magnetohydrodynamics and how causality is guaranteed by introducing second order corrections.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

New asymptotically (Anti)-de Sitter black holes in (super)gravity

We use the duality between gravitational dynamics and fluids living on dynamical surfaces carrying multiple charges, known as the blackfold approach, to perturbativaly construct new asymptotically global (Anti)-de Sitter multi-spinning, non-extremal, multi-charged black holes in theories of higher-dimensional gravity minimally coupled to a dilaton and higher-form gauge fields in spacetime dimensions $D\ge5$, and new asymptotically AdS$_{l}\times S^{m}$ black holes in type IIB and eleven-dimensional supergravity. These solutions include the generalisation of the Kerr-Newman solution to (A)dS carrying either electric or string charge, generalisations of black rings to higher-dimensions with $\mathbb{S}^p\times \mathbb{S}^{n+1}$ horizon topology, static de Sitter solutions carrying arbitrary $q$-brane charge, as well as various asymptotically AdS$_{l}\times S^{m}$ multi-charged and multi-spinning black hole solutions, some of which correspond to novel thermal states in $\mathcal{N}=4$ Super-Yang-Mills theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Hydrodynamics of thermal active matter

Active matter concerns many-body systems comprised of living or self-driven agents that collectively exhibit macroscopic phenomena distinct from conventional passive matter. Using Schwinger-Keldysh effective field theory, we develop a novel hydrodynamic framework for thermal active matter that accounts for energy balance, local temperature variations, and the ensuing stochastic effects. By modelling active matter as a driven open system, we show that the source of active contributions to hydrodynamics, violations of fluctuation-dissipation theorems, and detailed balance is rooted in the breaking of time-translation symmetry due to the presence of fuel consumption and an external environmental bath. In addition, our framework allows for non-equilibrium steady states that produce entropy, with a well-defined notion of steady-state temperature. We use our framework of active hydrodynamics to develop effective field theory actions for active superfluids and active nematics that offer a first-principle derivation of various active transport coefficients and feature activity-induced phase transitions. We also show how to incorporate temperature, energy and noise in fluctuating hydrodynamics for active matter. Our work suggests a broader perspective on active matter that can leave an imprint across scales.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2024

Higher-group global symmetry and the bosonic M5 brane

Higher-group symmetries are combinations of higher-form symmetries which appear in various field theories. In this paper, we explain how higher-group symmetries arise in 10d and 11d supergravities when the latter are coupled to brane sources. Motivated by this observation, we study field theories at zero and finite temperature invariant under a class of continuous Abelian higher-group symmetries. We restrict the analysis to the low-energy regime where the dynamical field content exclusively consists of Goldstone fields arising from the spontaneous breaking of higher-group and spacetime symmetries. Invariant quantities are constructed and the phases of matter are classified according to the pattern of spontaneous symmetry breaking. With respect to supergravity, we highlight how such Goldstone effective theories provide a symmetry-based interpretation for the theories living on D/M-branes. As an explicit example we construct a 6-group invariant action for the bosonic M5 brane, consistent with the self-duality of the 3-form field strength on the brane. While the self-duality condition in the bosonic case needs to be imposed externally as a constraint at zero temperature, we find an equilibrium effective action for the bosonic M5 brane at finite temperature that inherently implements self-duality.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Topological plasma oscillations in the solar tachocline

We study the properties of plasma oscillations in the solar tachocline using shallow-water magnetohydrodynamic equations. These oscillations are expected to correlate with solar activity. We find new qualitative features in the equatorial spectrum of magnetohydrodynamic oscillations associated with magneto-Rossby and magneto-Yanai waves. By studying this spectrum in terms of band theory, we find that magneto-Kelvin and magneto-Yanai waves are topologically protected. This highlights the important role of these two classes of waves, as robust features of the plasma oscillation spectrum, in the interpretation of helioseismological observations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Probe particles in odd active viscoelastic fluids: how activity and dissipation determine linear stability

Odd viscoelastic materials are constrained by fewer symmetries than their even counterparts. The breaking of these symmetries allow these materials to exhibit different features, which have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Immersing a bead in such complex fluids allows for probing their physical properties, highlighting signatures of their oddity and exploring consequences of these broken symmetries. We present the conditions under which the activity of an odd viscoelastic fluid can give rise to linear instabilities in the motion of the probe particle and unveil how the features of the probe particle dynamics depend on the oddity and activity of the viscoelastic medium in which it is immersed.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2023

Carrollian fluids and spontaneous breaking of boost symmetry

In the hydrodynamic regime, field theories typically have their boost symmetry spontaneously broken due to the presence of a thermal rest frame although the associated Goldstone field does not acquire independent dynamics. We show that this is not the case for Carrollian field theories where the boost Goldstone field plays a central role. This allows us to give a first-principles derivation of the equilibrium currents and dissipative effects of Carrollian fluids. We also demonstrate that the limit of vanishing speed of light of relativistic fluids is a special case of this class of Carrollian fluids. Our results shine light on the thermodynamic properties and thermal partition functions of Carrollian field theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Risk aversion can promote cooperation

Cooperative dynamics are central to our understanding of many phenomena in living and complex systems. However, we lack a universal mechanism to explain the emergence of cooperation. We present a novel framework for modelling social dilemma games with an arbitrary number of players by combining reaction networks, methods from quantum mechanics applied to stochastic complex systems, game theory and stochastic simulations of molecular reactions. Using this framework, we propose a novel and robust mechanism for cooperation based on risk aversion that leads to cooperative behaviour in population games. Rather than individuals seeking to maximise payouts in the long run, individuals seek to obtain a minimum set of resources with a given level of confidence and in a limited time span. We show that this mechanism can lead to the emergence of new equilibria in a range of social dilemma games.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2023

Ideal fracton superfluids

We investigate the thermodynamics of equilibrium thermal states and their near-equilibrium dynamics in systems with fractonic symmetries in arbitrary curved space. By explicitly gauging the fracton algebra we obtain the geometry and gauge fields that field theories with conserved dipole moment couple to. We use the resultant fracton geometry to show that it is not possible to construct an equilibrium partition function for global thermal states unless part of the fractonic symmetries is spontaneously broken. This leads us to introduce two classes of fracton superfluids with conserved energy and momentum, namely $p$-wave and $s$-wave fracton superfluids. The latter phase is an Aristotelian superfluid at ideal order but with a velocity constraint and can be split into two separate regimes: the U(1) fracton superfluid and the pinned $s$-wave superfluid regimes. For each of these classes and regimes we formulate a hydrodynamic expansion and study the resultant modes. We find distinctive features of each of these phases and regimes at ideal order in gradients, without introducing dissipative effects. In particular we note the appearance of a sound mode for $s$-wave fracton superfluids. We show that previous work on fracton hydrodynamics falls into these classes. Finally, we study ultra-dense $p$-wave fracton superfluids with a large kinetic mass in addition to studying the thermodynamics of ideal Aristotelian superfluids.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Approximate higher-form symmetries, topological defects, and dynamical phase transitions

Higher-form symmetries are a valuable tool for classifying topological phases of matter. However, emergent higher-form symmetries in interacting many-body quantum systems are not typically exact due to the presence of topological defects. In this paper, we develop a systematic framework for building effective theories with approximate higher-form symmetries, i.e. higher-form symmetries that are weakly explicitly broken. We focus on a continuous U(1) q-form symmetry and study various patterns of symmetry breaking. This includes spontaneous or explicit breaking of higher-form symmetries, as well as pseudo-spontaneous symmetry breaking patterns where the higher-form symmetry is both spontaneously and explicitly broken. We uncover a web of dualities between such phases and highlight their role in describing the presence of dynamical higher-form vortices. In order to study the out-of-equilibrium dynamics of these phases of matter, we formulate respective hydrodynamic theories and study the spectra of excitations exhibiting higher-form charge relaxation and Goldstone relaxation effects. We show that our framework is able to describe various phase transitions due to proliferation of vortices or defects. This includes the melting transition in smectic crystals, the plasma phase transition from polarised gases to magnetohydrodynamics, the spin-ice transition, the superfluid to neutral fluid transition and the Meissner effect in superconductors, among many others.

hep-th↗