arXiv subjects

Niky Kamran

Publications and source records attributed to Niky Kamran.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

On orthogonal polynomials spanning a non-standard flag

We survey some recent developments in the theory of orthogonal polynomials defined by differential equations. The key finding is that there exist orthogonal polynomials defined by 2nd order differential equations that fall outside the classical families of Jacobi, Laguerre, and Hermite polynomials. Unlike the classical families, these new examples, called exceptional orthogonal polynomials, feature non-standard polynomial flags; the lowest degree polynomial has degree $m>0$. In this paper we review the classification of codimension $m=1$ exceptional polynomials, and give a novel, compact proof of the fundamental classification theorem for codimension 1 polynomial flags. As well, we describe the mechanism or rational factorizations of 2nd order operators as the analogue of the Darboux transformation in this context. We finish with the example of higher codimension generalization of Jacobi polynomials and perform the complete analysis of parameter values for which these families have non-singular weights.

math-ph↗

arXiv2012

On the Scalar Spectrum of the Y^{p,q} Manifolds

The spectra of supergravity modes in anti de Sitter (AdS) space on a five-sphere endowed with the round metric (which is the simplest 5d Sasaki-Einstein space) has been studied in detail in the past. However for the more general class of cohomogeneity one Sasaki-Einstein metrics on S^2 x S^3, given by the Y^{p, q} class, a complete study of the spectra has not been attempted. Earlier studies on scalar spectrum were restricted to only the first few eigenstates. In this paper we take a step in this direction by analysing the full scalar spectrum on these spaces. However it turns out that finding the exact solution of the corresponding eigenvalue problem in closed form is not feasible since the computation of the eigenvalues of the Laplacian boils down to the analysis of a one-dimensional operator of Heun type, whose spectrum cannot be computed in closed form. However, despite this analytical obstacle, we manage to get both lower and upper bounds on the eigenvalues of the scalar spectrum by comparing the eigenvalue problem with a simpler, solvable system. We also briefly touch upon various other new avenues such as non-commutative and dipole deformations as well as possible non-conformal extensions of these models.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

A conjecture on Exceptional Orthogonal Polynomials

Exceptional orthogonal polynomial systems (X-OPS) arise as eigenfunctions of Sturm-Liouville problems and generalize in this sense the classical families of Hermite, Laguerre and Jacobi. They also generalize the family of CPRS orthogonal polynomials. We formulate the following conjecture: every exceptional orthogonal polynomial system is related to a classical system by a Darboux-Crum transformation. We give a proof of this conjecture for codimension 2 exceptional orthogonal polynomials (X2-OPs). As a by-product of this analysis, we prove a Bochner-type theorem classifying all possible X2-OPS. The classification includes all cases known to date plus some new examples of X2-Laguerre and X2-Jacobi polynomials.

math-ph↗

arXiv2012

Causality and the conformal boundary of AdS in real-time holography

We consider the holographic prescription problem in a (Lorentzian) AdS background, deriving from first principles the explicit formulas that relate the field at infinity with the field in the bulk. In contrast with the previous studies of the "real-time" holography problem, our derivation uses purely classical arguments that involve causality, as in the usual treatment of the holographic prescription problem in Wick-rotated spaces of Euclidean signature. We show that there is a unique propagator that preserves causality and see that this provides a simple picture of the relationship between the bulk manifold and its conformal boundary.

math-ph↗

arXiv2012

Local energy decay of massive Dirac fields in the 5D Myers-Perry metric

We consider massive Dirac fields evolving in the exterior region of a 5-dimensional Myers-Perry black hole and study their propagation properties. Our main result states that the local energy of such fields decays in a weak sense at late times. We obtain this result in two steps: first, using the separability of the Dirac equation, we prove the absence of a pure point spectrum for the corresponding Dirac operator; second, using a new form of the equation adapted to the local rotations of the black hole, we show by a Mourre theory argument that the spectrum is absolutely continuous. This leads directly to our main result.

math-ph↗

arXiv2011

Two-step Darboux transformations and exceptional Laguerre polynomials

It has been recently discovered that exceptional families of Sturm-Liouville orthogonal polynomials exist, that generalize in some sense the classical polynomials of Hermite, Laguerre and Jacobi. In this paper we show how new families of exceptional orthogonal polynomials can be constructed by means of multiple-step algebraic Darboux transformations. The construction is illustrated with an example of a 2-step Darboux transformation of the classical Laguerre polynomials, which gives rise to a new orthogonal polynomial system indexed by two integer parameters. For particular values of these parameters, the classical Laguerre and the type II $X_\ell$-Laguerre polynomials are recovered.

math-ph↗

arXiv2010

Spinor Green's functions via spherical means on products of space forms

We explicitly compute the Green's function of the spinor Klein-Gordon equation on the Riemannian and Lorentzian manifolds of the form $M_0 \times ... \times M_N$, with each factor being a space of constant sectional curvature. Our approach is based on an extension of the method of spherical means to the case of spinor fields and on the use of Riesz distributions.

math-ph↗

arXiv2010

Exceptional orthogonal polynomials and the Darboux transformation

We adapt the notion of the Darboux transformation to the context of polynomial Sturm-Liouville problems. As an application, we characterize the recently described $X_m$ Laguerre polynomials in terms of an isospectral Darboux transformation. We also show that the shape-invariance of these new polynomial families is a direct consequence of the permutability property of the Darboux-Crum transformation.

math-ph↗

arXiv2010

Global causal propagator for the Klein-Gordon equation on a class of supersymmetric AdS backgrounds

We analyze the Cauchy problem for the Klein-Gordon equation on the type IIB supergravity backgrounds $AdS^5 \times Y^{p,q}$, where $Y^{p,q}$ is any of the Sasaki-Einstein 5-manifolds recently discovered by Gaunlett, Martelli, Sparks and Waldram (Adv. Theor. Math. Phys. 8 (2004) 711--734). Although these spaces are not globally hyperbolic, we prove that there exists a unique admissible propagator and derive an integral representation thereof using spectral-theoretic techniques.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

Linear Waves in the Kerr Geometry: A Mathematical Voyage to Black Hole Physics

This paper gives a survey of wave dynamics in the Kerr space-time geometry, the mathematical model of a rotating black hole in equilibrium. After a brief introduction to the Kerr metric, we review the separability properties of linear wave equations for fields of general spin $s=0, 1/2, 1, 2$, corresponding to scalar, Dirac, electromagnetic fields and linearized gravitational waves. We give results on the long-time dynamics of Dirac and scalar waves, including decay rates for massive Dirac fields. For scalar waves, we give a rigorous treatment of superradiance and describe rigorously a mechanism of energy extraction from a rotating black hole. Finally, we discuss the open problem of linear stability of the Kerr metric and present partial results.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

An Extension of Bochner's Problem: Exceptional Invariant Subspaces

A classical result due to Bochner characterizes the classical orthogonal polynomial systems as solutions of a second-order eigenvalue equation. We extend Bochner's result by dropping the assumption that the first element of the orthogonal polynomial sequence be a constant. This approach gives rise to new families of complete orthogonal polynomial systems that arise as solutions of second-order eigenvalue equations with rational coefficients. The results are based on a classification of exceptional polynomial subspaces of codimension one under projective transformations.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

An extended class of orthogonal polynomials defined by a Sturm-Liouville problem

We present two infinite sequences of polynomial eigenfunctions of a Sturm-Liouville problem. As opposed to the classical orthogonal polynomial systems, these sequences start with a polynomial of degree one. We denote these polynomials as $X_1$-Jacobi and $X_1$-Laguerre and we prove that they are orthogonal with respect to a positive definite inner product defined over the the compact interval $[-1,1]$ or the half-line $[0,\infty)$, respectively, and they are a basis of the corresponding $L^2$ Hilbert spaces. Moreover, we prove a converse statement similar to Bochner's theorem for the classical orthogonal polynomial systems: if a self-adjoint second order operator has a complete set of polynomial eigenfunctions $\{p_i\}_{i=1}^\infty$, then it must be either the $X_1$-Jacobi or the $X_1$-Laguerre Sturm-Liouville problem. A Rodrigues-type formula can be derived for both of the $X_1$ polynomial sequences.

math-ph↗

arXiv2008

Dynamics with Infinitely Many Derivatives: Variable Coefficient Equations

Infinite order differential equations have come to play an increasingly significant role in theoretical physics. Field theories with infinitely many derivatives are ubiquitous in string field theory and have attracted interest recently also from cosmologists. Crucial to any application is a firm understanding of the mathematical structure of infinite order partial differential equations. In our previous work we developed a formalism to study the initial value problem for linear infinite order equations with constant coefficients. Our approach relied on the use of a contour integral representation for the functions under consideration. In many applications, including the study of cosmological perturbations in nonlocal inflation, one must solve linearized partial differential equations about some time-dependent background. This typically leads to variable coefficient equations, in which case the contour integral methods employed previously become inappropriate. In this paper we develop the theory of a particular class of linear infinite order partial differential equations with variable coefficients. Our formalism is particularly well suited to the types of equations that arise in nonlocal cosmological perturbation theory. As an example to illustrate our formalism we compute the leading corrections to the scalar field perturbations in p-adic inflation and show explicitly that these are small on large scales.

hep-th↗

arXiv2008

Green's function for the Hodge Laplacian on some classes of Riemannian and Lorentzian symmetric spaces

We compute the Green's function for the Hodge Laplacian on the symmetric spaces M\timesΣ, where M is a simply connected n-dimensional Riemannian or Lorentzian manifold of constant curvature and Σis a simply connected Riemannian surface of constant curvature. Our approach is based on a generalization to the case of differential forms of the method of spherical means and on the use of Riesz distributions on manifolds. The radial part of the Green's function is governed by a fourth order analogue of the Heun equation.

math.AP↗

arXiv2008

A Rigorous Treatment of Energy Extraction from a Rotating Black Hole

The Cauchy problem is considered for the scalar wave equation in the Kerr geometry. We prove that by choosing a suitable wave packet as initial data, one can extract energy from the black hole, thereby putting supperradiance, the wave analogue of the Penrose process, into a rigorous mathematical framework. We quantify the maximal energy gain. We also compute the infinitesimal change of mass and angular momentum of the black hole, in agreement with Christodoulou's result for the Penrose process. The main mathematical tool is our previously derived integral representation of the wave propagator.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Decay of Solutions of the Wave Equation in the Kerr Geometry

We consider the Cauchy problem for the scalar wave equation in the Kerr geometry for smooth initial data supported outside the event horizon. We prove that the solutions decay in time in L^\infty_loc. The proof is based on a representation of the solution as an infinite sum over the angular momentum modes, each of which is an integral of the energy variable on the real line. This integral representation involves solutions of the radial and angular ODEs which arise in the separation of variables.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

An Integral Spectral Representation of the Propagator for the Wave Equation in the Kerr Geometry

We consider the scalar wave equation in the Kerr geometry for Cauchy data which is smooth and compactly supported outside the event horizon. We derive an integral representation which expresses the solution as a superposition of solutions of the radial and angular ODEs which arise in the separation of variables. In particular, we prove completeness of the solutions of the separated ODEs. This integral representation is a suitable starting point for a detailed analysis of the long-time dynamics of scalar waves in the Kerr geometry.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

Dynamics with Infinitely Many Derivatives: The Initial Value Problem

Differential equations of infinite order are an increasingly important class of equations in theoretical physics. Such equations are ubiquitous in string field theory and have recently attracted considerable interest also from cosmologists. Though these equations have been studied in the classical mathematical literature, it appears that the physics community is largely unaware of the relevant formalism. Of particular importance is the fate of the initial value problem. Under what circumstances do infinite order differential equations possess a well-defined initial value problem and how many initial data are required? In this paper we study the initial value problem for infinite order differential equations in the mathematical framework of the formal operator calculus, with analytic initial data. This formalism allows us to handle simultaneously a wide array of different nonlocal equations within a single framework and also admits a transparent physical interpretation. We show that differential equations of infinite order do not generically admit infinitely many initial data. Rather, each pole of the propagator contributes two initial data to the final solution. Though it is possible to find differential equations of infinite order which admit well-defined initial value problem with only two initial data, neither the dynamical equations of p-adic string theory nor string field theory seem to belong to this class. However, both theories can be rendered ghost-free by suitable definition of the action of the formal pseudo-differential operator. This prescription restricts the theory to frequencies within some contour in the complex plane and hence may be thought of as a sort of ultra-violet cut-off.

hep-th↗