arXiv subjects

Neil Turok

Publications and source records attributed to Neil Turok.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv1997

Exponentially Small Couplings between Twisted Fields of Orbifold String Theories

We investigate the natural occurence of exponentially small couplings in effective field theories deduced from higher dimensional models. We calculate the coupling between twisted fields of the Z_3 Abelian orbifold compactification of the heterotic string. Due to the propagation of massive Kaluza-Klein modes between the fixed points of the orbifold, the massless twisted fields located at these singular points become weakly coupled. The resulting small couplings have an exponential dependence on the mass of the intermediate states and the distance between the fixed points.

hep-th↗

arXiv1997

Polarization of the Microwave Background in Defect Models

We compute the polarization power spectra for global strings, monopoles, textures and nontopological textures, and compare them to inflationary models. We find that topological defect models predict a significant (1 microK) contribution to magnetic type polarization on degree angular scales, which is produced by the large vector component of the defect source. We also investigate the effect of decoherence on polarization. It leads to a smoothing of acoustic oscillations both in temperature and polarization power spectra and strongly suppresses the cross-correlation between temperature and polarization relative to inflationary models. Presence or absence of magnetic polarization or cross-correlation would be a strong discriminator between the two theories of structure formation and will be testable with the next generation of CMB satellites.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Normal Modes of the B=4 Skyrme Soliton

The Skyrme model of nuclear physics requires quantisation if it is to match observed nuclear properties. A simple technique is used to find the normal mode spectrum of the baryon number B=4 Skyrme soliton, representing the $α$ particle. We find sixteen vibrational modes and classify them under the cubic symmetry group $O_h$ of the static solution. The spectrum possesses a remarkable structure, with the lowest energy modes lying in those representations expected from an approximate correspondence between Skyrmions and BPS monopoles. The next mode up is the `breather', and above that are higher multipole breathing modes.

hep-th↗

arXiv1997

Power Spectra in Global Defect Theories of Cosmic Structure Formation

An efficient technique for computing perturbation power spectra in field ordering theories of cosmic structure formation is introduced, enabling computations to be carried out with unprecedented precision. Large scale simulations are used to measure unequal time correlators of the source stress energy, taking advantage of scaling during matter and radiation domination, and causality, to make optimal use of the available dynamic range. The correlators are then re-expressed in terms of a sum of eigenvector products, a representation which we argue is optimal, enabling the computation of the final power spectra to be performed at high accuracy. Microwave anisotropy and matter perturbation power spectra for global strings, monopoles, textures and non-topological textures are presented and compared with recent observations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

Cosmic Texture from a Broken Global SU(3) Symmetry

We investigate the observable consequences of creating cosmic texture by breaking a global SU(3) symmetry, rather than the SU(2) case which is generally studied. To this end, we study the nonlinear sigma model for a totally broken SU(3) symmetry, and develop a technique for numerically solving the classical field equations. This technique is applied in a cosmological context: the energy of the collapsing SU(3) texture field is used as a gravitational source for the production of perturbations in the primordial fluids of the early universe. From these calculations, we make predictions about the appearance of the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) which would be present if the large scale structure of the universe was gravitationally seeded by the collapse of SU(3) textures.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1997

Inflationary Textures

We present a calculation of the power spectrum generated in a classically symmetry-breaking O(N) scalar field through inflationary quantum fluctuations, using the large-N limit. The effective potential of the theory in de Sitter space is obtained from a gap equation which is exact at large N. Quantum fluctuations restore the O(N) symmetry in de Sitter space, but for the finite values of N of interest, there is symmetry breaking and phase ordering after inflation, described by the classical nonlinear sigma model. The main difference with the usual cosmic texture scenario is that the initial conditions possess long range correlations, with calculable exponents.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Causality and the Doppler Peaks

Could cosmic structure have formed by the action of causal physics within the standard hot big bang, or was a prior period of inflation required? Recently there has been some discussion of whether causal sources could reproduce the pattern of Doppler peaks of the standard scale-invariant adiabatic theory. This paper gives a rigorous definition of causality, and a causal decomposition of a general source. I present an example of a simple causal source which mimics the standard adiabatic theory, accurately reproducing the behaviour of the local intrinsic temperature perturbations.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

A Causal Source which Mimics Inflation

How unique are the inflationary predictions for the cosmic microwave anisotropy pattern? In this paper, it is asked whether an arbitrary causal source for perturbations in the standard hot big bang could effectively mimic the predictions of the simplest inflationary models. A surprisingly simple example of a `scaling' causal source is found to closely reproduce the inflationary predictions. This letter extends the work of a previous paper (ref. 6) to a full computation of the anisotropy pattern, including the Sachs Wolfe integral. I speculate on the possible physics behind such a source.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

Sub-degree Scale Microwave Anisotropies from Cosmic Defects

If current ideas about unified field theories are correct, macroscopic cosmic defects may well exist. The observation of such an entity would have enormous significance for our understanding of fundamental physics. This paper points out a novel observable signature of cosmic texture and global monopoles, namely strong hot spots in the cosmic microwave anisotropy pattern on subdegree scales. This signal should be readily detectable by the next generation of anisotropy mapping experiments. The signature arises from overdensities in the photon-baryon fluid generated by the gravitational attraction of the defects. The angular power spectrum of the anisotropy fluctuations on subdegree scales is also calculated, for cosmic string, global monopoles, and texture.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

Almost-Goldstone Bosons from Extra-Dimensional Gauge Theories

A mechanism is presented through which very light scalar degrees of freedom obeying the nonlinear sigma model equation can emerge in spontaneously broken gauge theories. The mechanism operates in extra dimensional theories in which a) there are massless gauge fields present in the theory prior to compactification, and b) the extra dimensions are inhomogeneous in such a way that symmetry breaking Higgs fields aquire vevs only at very localised points on the manifold. These conditions are naturally fulfilled in orbifold compactifications of string theory. Possible applications include cosmic texture, axions and family symmetry.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1995

Non-local Electroweak Baryogenesis Part I : Thin Wall Regime

We investigate `non-local' schemes for baryogenesis at a first order electroweak phase transition, in which the effects of a $CP$ violating condensate on the bubble wall propagate into the unbroken phase where the sphaleron rate is unsupressed. Such a condensate exists in multi-Higgs extensions of the standard model, and may exist due to an instability in the minimal standard model. In this paper we first discuss the general problem of determining the $CP$ violating perturbations, distinguishing two regimes (quantum and classical). We then give an analytic treatment of quantum mechanical reflection in the thin wall regime, in which interactions with the plasma can be neglected as a particle propagates across the wall. We focus on leptons because of their much weaker coupling to the plasma. We argue that they are likely to be accurately described by this calculation, but quarks are not. The relative magnitude of the baryon asymmetry produced for different fermions depends on their relative Yukawa couplings ({\it not} their zero temperature masses), their transport properties and their interactions. We calculate the baryon asymmetry for various parameter ranges and conclude that asymmetries comparable with observations can be generated.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1995

Non-local Electroweak Baryogenesis Part II : The Classical Regime

We investigate baryogenesis at a first order electroweak phase transition in the presence of a CP violating condensate on the bubble walls, in the regime in which the bubble walls are `thick', in the sense that fermions interact with the plasma many times as the bubble wall passes. Such a condensate is present in multi-Higgs extensions of the standard model and may be formed via an instability in the minimal standard model. We concentrate on particles with typical thermal energies in the plasma, whose interactions with the wall are accurately described by the WKB approximation, in which a classical chiral force is evident. The deviations from thermal equilibrium produced by motion of the wall are then treated using a classical Boltzmann equation which we solve in a fluid approximation. From the resulting equations we find two effects important for baryogenesis: (i) a classical chiral force term due to the $CP$ violating background, and (ii) a term arising from hypercharge violating interactions which are pushed out of equilibrium by the background{field. Provided the wall propagates slower than the speed of sound, both terms lead to the diffusion of a chiral asymmetry in front of the wall. This can produce a baryon asymmetry of the observed magnitude for typical wall velocities and thicknesses.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1995

Electroweak Baryogenesis from a Classical Force

We describe a new effect which produces baryons at a first order electroweak phase transition. It operates when there is a CP-violating field present on propagating bubble walls. The novel aspect is that it involves a purely classical force, which alters the motion of particles across the wall and through diffusion creates a chiral asymmetry in front of the wall. We develop a technique for computing the baryon asymmetry using the Boltzmann equation, and a fluid approximation which allows us to model strong scattering effects. The final formula for the baryon asymmetry has a remarkably simple form.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1995

Looking for $Λ$ with the Rees-Sciama Effect

In models with a cosmological constant, a significant component of the large scale cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropy is produced at rather low redshifts, z < 1. In these models, the gravitational potential perturbations begin to evolve at late times. Photons passing through these time varying potentials aquire frequency shifts, an effect first noted by Rees and Sciama. Since the gravitational potential is associated with matter at observable redshifts, the local matter density (or some tracer thereof) is correlated with the CMB anisotropy on the sky. We outline the optimal method of measuring this correlation, and discuss the prospects for using an X-ray/COBE comparison to detect a cosmological constant.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

Open Inflation with Arbitrary False Vacuum Mass

We calculate the power spectrum of adiabatic density perturbations in an open inflationary model in which inflation occurs in two stages. First an epoch of old inflation creates a large, smooth universe, solving the horizon and homogeneity problems. Then an open universe emerges through the nucleation of a single bubble, with constant density hypersurfaces inside the bubble having constant negative spatial curvature. An epoch of `slow roll' inflation, shortened to give $Ω_0<1$ today, occurs within the bubble, which contains our entire observable universe. In this paper we compute the resulting density perturbations in the same `new thin wall' approximation used in a previous paper, but for an arbitrary positive mass of the inflaton field in the false vacuum.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1994

Efficient Electroweak Baryogenesis from Lepton Transport

One mechanism for generating a baryon asymmetry at the electroweak phase transition involves propagation of particle asymmetries generated by reflection from the bubble walls into the unbroken phase. Hitherto attention has focussed on top quarks because of their large mass and thus effective scattering from bubble walls. In this paper we point out that leptons may be more efficient mediators of this type of electroweak baryogenesis, particularly for thicker bubble walls favored by perturbative calculations. We carry out an analytic calculation of each stage of the mechanism and conclude it produces a baryon asymmetry compatible with observations for a wide range of parameters.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1994

Polarization and Anisotropy of the Microwave Sky

We study the polarization-polarization and polarization-temperature correlations in standard adiabatic scenarios for structure formation. Temperature anisotropies due to gravitational potential wells and oscillations in the photon-baryon-electron fluid on the surface of last scattering are each associated with a correlated polarization pattern. While the `correlated part' of the polarization has an r.m.s. of only a third of the total signal, it may still be measurable by mapping a large area on the sky. We calculate the expected signal to noise ratio for various measures of the polarization in a hypothetical mapping experiment such as those now being planned.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1994

Z Condensation and Standard Model Baryogenesis

The standard model satisfies Sakharov's conditions for baryogenesis but the CP violation in the KM matrix appears too small to account for the observed asymmetry. In this letter we explore a mechanism through which CP violation can be greatly amplified. First CP is {\it spontaneously} broken through dynamical effects on bubble walls, and the two CP conjugate phases grow through phase ordering. Direct competition between macroscopic regions of both phases then amplifies the microscopic CP violation to a point where one of the two phases predominates. This Letter is devoted to a demonstration that spontaneous CP violation may indeed occur on propagating bubble walls via the formation of a condensate of the longitudinal $Z$ boson.

hep-ph↗