arXiv subjects

Olaf Lechtenfeld

Publications and source records attributed to Olaf Lechtenfeld.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

Solutions to Yang-Mills equations on four-dimensional de Sitter space

We consider pure SU(2) Yang-Mills theory on four-dimensional de Sitter space dS$_4$ and construct a smooth and spatially homogeneous magnetic solution to the Yang-Mills equations. Slicing dS$_4$ as ${\mathbb R}\times S^3$, via an SU(2)-equivariant ansatz we reduce the Yang-Mills equations to ordinary matrix differential equations and further to Newtonian dynamics in a double-well potential. Its local maximum yields a Yang-Mills solution whose color-magnetic field at time $τ\in{\mathbb R}$ is given by $\tilde{B}_a=-\frac12 I_a/(R^2\cosh^2\!τ)$, where $I_a$ for $a=1,2,3$ are the SU(2) generators and $R$ is the de Sitter radius. At any moment, this spatially homogeneous configuration has finite energy, but its action is also finite and of the value $-\frac12j(j{+}1)(2j{+}1)π^3$ in a spin-$j$ representation. Similarly, the double-well bounce produces a family of homogeneous finite-action electric-magnetic solutions with the same energy. There is a continuum of other solutions whose energy and action extend down to zero.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

${\cal PT}$ deformation of angular Calogero models

The rational Calogero model based on an arbitrary rank-$n$ Coxeter root system is spherically reduced to a superintegrable angular model of a particle moving on $S^{n-1}$ subject to a very particular potential singular at the reflection hyperplanes. It is outlined how to find conserved charges and to construct intertwining operators. We deform these models in a ${\cal PT}$-symmetric manner by judicious complex coordinate transformations, which render the potential less singular. The ${\cal PT}$ deformation does not change the energy eigenvalues but in some cases adds a previously unphysical tower of states. For integral couplings the new and old energy levels coincide, which roughly doubles the previous degeneracy and allows for a conserved nonlinear supersymmetry charge. We present the details for the generic rank-two ($A_2$, $G_2$) and all rank-three Coxeter systems ($AD_3$, $BC_3$ and $H_3$), including a reducible case ($A_1^{\otimes 3}$).

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Hidden symmetries of deformed oscillators

We associate with each simple Lie algebra a system of second-order differential equations invariant under a non-compact real form of the corresponding Lie group. In the limit of a contraction to a Schrödinger algebra, these equations reduce to a system of ordinary harmonic oscillators. We provide two clarifying examples of such deformed oscillators: one system invariant under SO(2,3) transformations, and another system featuring $G_{2(2)}$ symmetry. The construction of invariant actions requires adding semi-dynamical degrees of freedom; we illustrate the algorithm with the two examples mentioned.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Sasakian quiver gauge theories and instantons on Calabi-Yau cones

We consider SU(2)-equivariant dimensional reduction of Yang-Mills theory on manifolds of the form $M\times S^3/Γ$, where $M$ is a smooth manifold and $S^3/Γ$ is a three-dimensional Sasaki-Einstein orbifold. We obtain new quiver gauge theories on $M$ whose quiver bundles are based on the affine ADE Dynkin diagram associated to $Γ$. We relate them to those arising through translationally-invariant dimensional reduction over the associated Calabi-Yau cones $C(S^3/Γ)$ which are based on McKay quivers and ADHM matrix models, and to those arising through SU(2)-equivariant dimensional reduction over the leaf spaces of the characteristic foliations of $S^3/Γ$ which are Kähler orbifolds of $\mathbb{C} P^1$ whose quiver bundles are based on the unextended Dynkin diagram corresponding to $Γ$. We use Nahm equations to describe the vacua of SU(2)-equivariant quiver gauge theories on the cones as moduli spaces of spherically symmetric instantons. We relate them to the Nakajima quiver varieties which can be realized as Higgs branches of the worldvolume quiver gauge theories on D$p$-branes probing D$(p+4)$-branes which wrap an ALE space, and to the moduli spaces of spherically symmetric solutions in putative non-abelian generalizations of two-dimensional affine Toda field theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

SU(2|2) supersymmetric mechanics

We introduce a new kind of non-relativistic ${\cal N}{=}\,8$ supersymmetric mechanics, associated with worldline realizations of the supergroup $SU(2|2)$ treated as a deformation of flat ${\cal N}{=}\,8$, $d{=}1$ supersymmetry. Various worldline $SU(2|2)$ superspaces are constructed as coset manifolds of this supergroup, and the corresponding superfield techniques are developed. For the off-shell $SU(2|2)$ multiplets $({\bf 3,8,5})$, $({\bf 4,8,4})$ and $({\bf 5,8,3})$, we construct and analyze the most general superfield and component actions. Common features are mass oscillator-type terms proportional to the deformation parameter and a trigonometric realization of the superconformal group $OSp(4^*|4)$ in the conformal cases. For the simplest $({\bf 5, 8, 3})$ model the quantization is performed.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Minimal realization of $\ell$-conformal Galilei algebra, Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillators and their deformation

We present the minimal realization of the $\ell$-conformal Galilei group in 2+1 dimensions on a single complex field. The simplest Lagrangians yield the complex Pais-Uhlenbeck oscillator equations. We introduce a minimal deformation of the $\ell$=1/2 conformal Galilei (a.k.a. Schrödinger) algebra and construct the corresponding invariant actions. Based on a new realization of the d=1 conformal group, we find a massive extension of the near-horizon Kerr-dS/AdS metric.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Superconformal SU(1,1|n) mechanics

Recent years have seen an upsurge of interest in dynamical realizations of the superconformal group SU(1,1|2) in mechanics. Remarking that SU(1,1|2) is a particular member of a chain of supergroups SU(1,1|n) parametrized by an integer n, here we begin a systematic study of SU(1,1|n) multi-particle mechanics. A representation of the superconformal algebra su(1,1|n) is constructed on the phase space spanned by m copies of the (1,2n,2n-1) supermultiplet. We show that the dynamics is governed by two prepotentials V and F, and the Witten-Dijkgraaf-Verlinde-Verlinde equation for F shows up as a consequence of a more general fourth-order equation. All solutions to the latter in terms of root systems reveal decoupled models only. An extension of the dynamical content of the (1,2n,2n-1) supermultiplet by angular variables in a way similar to the SU(1,1|2) case is problematic.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Superstring limit of Yang-Mills theories

It was pointed out by Shifman and Yung that the critical superstring on $X^{10}={\mathbb R}^4\times Y^6$, where $Y^6$ is the resolved conifold, appears as an effective theory for a U(2) Yang-Mills-Higgs system with four fundamental Higgs scalars defined on $Σ_2\times{\mathbb R}^2$, where $Σ_2$ is a two-dimensional Lorentzian manifold. Their Yang-Mills model supports semilocal vortices on ${\mathbb R}^2\subsetΣ_2\times{\mathbb R}^2$ with a moduli space $X^{10}$. When the moduli of slowly moving thin vortices depend on the coordinates of $Σ_2$, the vortex strings can be identified with critical fundamental strings. We show that similar results can be obtained for the low-energy limit of pure Yang-Mills theory on $Σ_2\times T^2_p$, where $T^2_p$ is a two-dimensional torus with a puncture $p$. The solitonic vortices of Shifman and Yung then get replaced by flat connections. Various ten-dimensional superstring target spaces can be obtained as moduli spaces of flat connections on $T^2_p$, depending on the choice of the gauge group. The full Green-Schwarz sigma model requires extending the gauge group to a supergroup and augmenting the action with a topological term.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

The tetrahexahedric Calogero model

We consider the spherical reduction of the rational Calogero model (of type $A_{n-1}$, without the center of mass) as a maximally superintegrable quantum system. It describes a particle on the $(n{-}2)$-sphere in a very special potential. A detailed analysis is provided of the simplest non-separable case, $n{=}4$, whose potential blows up at the edges of a spherical tetrahexahedron, tesselating the two-sphere into 24 identical right isosceles spherical triangles in which the particle is trapped. We construct a complete set of independent conserved charges and of Hamiltonian intertwiners and elucidate their algebra. The key structure is the ring of polynomials in Dunkl-deformed angular momenta, in particular the subspaces invariant and antiinvariant under all Weyl reflections, respectively.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Spherical Calogero model with oscillator/Coulomb potential: classical case

We construct the Hamiltonians and symmetry generators of Calogero-oscillator and Calogero-Coulomb models on the N-dimensional sphere within the matrix-model reduction approach. Our method also produces the integrable Calogero-Coulomb-Stark model on the sphere and proves the integrability of the spin extensions of all these systems.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Spherical Calogero model with oscillator/Coulomb potential: quantum case

We consider the quantum mechanics of Calogero models in an oscillator or Coulomb potential on the N-dimensional sphere. Their Hamiltonians are obtained by an appropriate Dunkl deformation of the oscillator/Coulomb system on the sphere and its restriction to (Coxeter reflection) symmetric wave functions. By the same method we also find the symmetry generators and compute their algebras.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Sasakian quiver gauge theories and instantons on the conifold

We consider Spin(4)-equivariant dimensional reduction of Yang-Mills theory on manifolds of the form $M^d \times T^{1,1}$, where $M^d$ is a smooth manifold and $T^{1,1}$ is a five-dimensional Sasaki-Einstein manifold Spin(4)/U(1). We obtain new quiver gauge theories on $M^d$ extending those induced via reduction over the leaf spaces $\mathbb{C}P^1 \times \mathbb{C}P^1$ in $T^{1,1}$. We describe the Higgs branches of these quiver gauge theories as moduli spaces of Spin(4)-equivariant instantons on the conifold which is realized as the metric cone over $T^{1,1}$. We give an explicit construction of these moduli spaces as Kähler quotients.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Higher-derivative superparticle in AdS$_3$ space

Employing the coset approach we construct component actions for a superparticle moving in AdS$_3$ with $N{=}(2,0)$, $D{=}3$ supersymmetry partially broken to $N{=}2$, $d{=}1$. These actions may contain higher time-derivative terms, which are chosen to possess the same (super)symmetries as the free superparticle. In terms of the nonlinear-realization superfields, the component actions always take a simpler form when written in terms of covariant Cartan forms. We also consider in detail the reduction to the nonrelativistic case and construct the corresponding action a Newton-Hooke superparticle and its higher-derivative generalizations. The structure of these higher time-derivative generalizations is completely fixed by invariance under the supersymmetric Newton-Hooke algebra extended by two central charges.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Sigma models for genuinely non-geometric backgrounds

The existence of genuinely non-geometric backgrounds, i.e. ones without geometric dual, is an important question in string theory. In this paper we examine this question from a sigma model perspective. First we construct a particular class of Courant algebroids as protobialgebroids with all types of geometric and non-geometric fluxes. For such structures we apply the mathematical result that any Courant algebroid gives rise to a 3D topological sigma model of the AKSZ type and we discuss the corresponding 2D field theories. It is found that these models are always geometric, even when both 2-form and 2-vector fields are neither vanishing nor inverse of one another. Taking a further step, we suggest an extended class of 3D sigma models, whose world volume is embedded in phase space, which allow for genuinely non-geometric backgrounds. Adopting the doubled formalism such models can be related to double field theory, albeit from a world sheet perspective.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

On Asteroid Engineering

I pose the question of maximal Newtonian surface gravity on a homogeneous body of a given mass and volume but with variable shape. In other words, given an amount of malleable material of uniform density, how should one shape it in order for a microscopic creature on its surface to experience the largest possible weight? After evaluating the weight on an arbitrary cylinder, at the axis and at the equator and comparing it to that on a spherical ball, I solve the variational problem to obtain the shape which optimizes the surface gravity in some location. The boundary curve of the corresponding solid of revolution is given by $\ (x^2+z^2)^3-(4\,z)^2=0\ $ or $\ r(θ)=2\sqrt{\cosθ}$, and the maximal weight (at $x=z=0$) exceeds that on a solid sphere by a factor of $\frac35\root3\of5$, which is an increment of $2.6\%$. Finally, the values and the achievable maxima are computed for three other families of shapes.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2015

The tetrahexahedric angular Calogero model

The spherical reduction of the rational Calogero model (of type $A_{n-1}$ and after removing the center of mass) is considered as a maximally superintegrable quantum system, which describes a particle on the $(n{-}2)$-sphere subject to a very particular potential. We present a detailed analysis of the simplest non-separable case, $n{=}4$, whose potential is singular at the edges of a spherical tetrahexahedron. A complete set of independent conserved charges and of Hamiltonian intertwiners is constructed, and their algebra is elucidated. They arise from the ring of polynomials in Dunkl-deformed angular momenta, by classifying the subspaces invariant and antiinvariant under all Weyl reflections, respectively.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Sasakian quiver gauge theories and instantons on cones over lens 5-spaces

We consider SU(3)-equivariant dimensional reduction of Yang-Mills theory over certain cyclic orbifolds of the 5-sphere which are Sasaki-Einstein manifolds. We obtain new quiver gauge theories extending those induced via reduction over the leaf spaces of the characteristic foliation of the Sasaki-Einstein structure, which are projective planes. We describe the Higgs branches of these quiver gauge theories as moduli spaces of spherically symmetric instantons which are SU(3)-equivariant solutions to the Hermitian Yang-Mills equations on the associated Calabi-Yau cones, and further compare them to moduli spaces of translationally-invariant instantons on the cones. We provide an explicit unified construction of these moduli spaces as Kähler quotients and show that they have the same cyclic orbifold singularities as the cones over the lens 5-spaces.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

A Calogero formulation for four-dimensional black-hole micro states

We extract the leading-order entropy of a four-dimensional extremal black hole in ${\cal N}{=}2$ ungauged supergravity by formulating the CFT$_1$ that is holographically dual to its near-horizon AdS$_2$ geometry, in terms of a rational Calogero model with a known counting formula for the degeneracy of states in its Hilbert space.

hep-th↗