arXiv subjects

Piyush Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to Piyush Kumar.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Analytic Properties of Trackable Weak Models

We present several new results on the feasibility of inferring the hidden states in strongly-connected trackable weak models. Here, a weak model is a directed graph in which each node is assigned a set of colors which may be emitted when that node is visited. A hypothesis is a node sequence which is consistent with a given color sequence. A weak model is said to be trackable if the worst case number of such hypotheses grows as a polynomial in the sequence length. We show that the number of hypotheses in strongly-connected trackable models is bounded by a constant and give an expression for this constant. We also consider the problem of reconstructing which branch was taken at a node with same-colored out-neighbors, and show that it is always eventually possible to identify which branch was taken if the model is strongly connected and trackable. We illustrate these properties by assigning transition probabilities and employing standard tools for analyzing Markov chains. In addition, we present new results for the entropy rates of weak models according to whether they are trackable or not. These theorems indicate that the combination of trackability and strong connectivity dramatically simplifies the task of reconstructing which nodes were visited. This work has implications for any problem which can be described in terms of an agent traversing a colored graph, such as the reconstruction of hidden states in a hidden Markov model (HMM).

cs.LG↗

arXiv2019

Observability Properties of Colored Graphs

A colored graph is a directed graph in which nodes or edges have been assigned colors that are not necessarily unique. Observability problems in such graphs consider whether an agent observing the colors of edges or nodes traversed on a path in the graph can determine which node they are at currently or which nodes were visited earlier in the traversal. Previous research efforts have identified several different notions of observability as well as the associated properties of graphs for which those observability properties hold. This paper unifies the prior work into a common framework with several new results about relationships between those notions and associated graph properties. The new framework provides an intuitive way to reason about the attainable accuracy as a function of lag and time spent observing, and identifies simple modifications to improve the observability of a given graph. We show that one form of the graph modification problem is in NP-Complete. The intuition of the new framework is borne out with numerical experiments. This work has implications for problems that can be described in terms of an agent traversing a colored graph, including the reconstruction of hidden states in a hidden Markov model (HMM).

cs.LG↗

arXiv2019

Control Flow Graph Modifications for Improved RF-Based Processor Tracking Performance

Many dedicated embedded processors do not have memory or computational resources to coexist with traditional (host-based) security solutions. As a result, there is interest in using out-of-band analog side-channel measurements and their analyses to accurately monitor and analyze expected program execution. In this paper, we describe an approach to this problem using externally observable multi-band radio frequency (RF) measurements to make inferences about a program's execution. Because it is very difficult to identify individual instructions solely from their RF emissions, we compare RF measurements with the constrained execution logic of the program so that multiple RF measurements over time can effectively track program execution dynamically. In our approach, a program's execution is modeled by control flow graphs (CFG) and transitions between nodes of such graphs. We demonstrate that tracking performance can be improved through applications program modifications such as changing basic block transition properties and/or adding new basic blocks that are highly observable. In addition to demonstrating these principled approaches on some simple programs, we present initial results on the complexity and structure of real-world applications programs, namely gzip and md5sum, in this modeling framework.

cs.CR↗

arXiv2018

HD-Index: Pushing the Scalability-Accuracy Boundary for Approximate kNN Search in High-Dimensional Spaces

Nearest neighbor searching of large databases in high-dimensional spaces is inherently difficult due to the curse of dimensionality. A flavor of approximation is, therefore, necessary to practically solve the problem of nearest neighbor search. In this paper, we propose a novel yet simple indexing scheme, HD-Index, to solve the problem of approximate k-nearest neighbor queries in massive high-dimensional databases. HD-Index consists of a set of novel hierarchical structures called RDB-trees built on Hilbert keys of database objects. The leaves of the RDB-trees store distances of database objects to reference objects, thereby allowing efficient pruning using distance filters. In addition to triangular inequality, we also use Ptolemaic inequality to produce better lower bounds. Experiments on massive (up to billion scale) high-dimensional (up to 1000+) datasets show that HD-Index is effective, efficient, and scalable.

cs.DB↗

arXiv2017

The Minimum Edge Compact Spanner Network Design Problem

In this paper we introduce and study the Minimum Edge Compact Spanner~(MECS) problem. We prove hardness results related to the problem, design exact and greedy algorithms for solving the problem, and show related experimental results. The MECS problem looks for sparse subgraphs of an input graph, such that the average shortest path distance is preserved to a constant factor. Average distance is a measure of the ease of communication over the network. As a result such problems have applications in areas where one wants to substitute a dense graph with a sparse subgraph while maintaining a low cost of communication.

cs.DM↗

arXiv2017

OPE Methods for the Holomorphic Higgs Portal

We develop a systematic and general approach to study the effective Higgs Lagrangian in a supersymmetric framework in which the Higgs fields in the visible sector couple weakly to another sector. The extra sector may be strongly coupled in general. It is assumed to be superconformal in the ultraviolet, but develop a mass-gap with supersymmetry breaking in the infrared. The main technique used in our approach is that of the operator product expansion (OPE). By using OPE methods we are able to compute the parameters in the Higgs Lagrangian to quadratic order and make general statements that are applicable to many classes of models. Not only does this approach allow us to understand the traditional problems plaguing simple models from a different perspective, it also reveals new possibilities for solutions of these problems. The methods and results of our work should be useful in constructing a viable and natural model of physics beyond the Standard Model.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2017

Anisotropic plasmons, excitons and electron energy loss spectroscopy of phosphorene

In this article, we explore the anisotropic electron energy loss spectrum (EELS) in monolayer phosphorene based on ab-initio time dependent density functional theory calculations. Similar to black phosphorous, the EELS of undoped monolayer phosphorene is characterized by anisotropic excitonic peaks for energies in vicinity of the bandgap, and by interband plasmon peaks for higher energies. On doping, an additional intraband plasmon peak also appears for energies within the bandgap. Similar to other two dimensional systems, the intraband plasmon peak disperses as $ω_{\rm pl} \propto \sqrt{q}$ in both the zigzag and armchair directions in the long wavelength limit, and deviates for larger wavevectors. The anisotropy of the long wavelength plasmon intraband dispersion is found to be inversely proportional to the square root of the ratio of the effective masses: $ω_{\rm pl}(q \hat{y})/ω_{\rm pl}(q \hat{x}) = \sqrt{m_x/m_y}$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2017

Kinetic Mixing at Strong Coupling

A common feature of many string-motivated particle physics models is additional strongly coupled U(1)'s. In such sectors, electric and magnetic states have comparable mass, and integrating out modes also charged under U(1) hypercharge generically yields CP preserving electric kinetic mixing and CP violating magnetic kinetic mixing terms. Even though these extra sectors are strongly coupled, we show that in the limit where the extra sector has approximate N = 2 supersymmetry, we can use formal methods from Seiberg-Witten theory to compute these couplings. We also calculate various quantities of phenomenological interest such as the cross section for scattering between visible sector states and heavy extra sector states, as well as the effects of supersymmetry breaking induced from coupling to the MSSM.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2016

Thickness and electric field dependent polarizability and dielectric constant in phosphorene

Based on extensive first principle calculations, we explore the thickness dependent effective di- electric constant and slab polarizability of few layer black phosphorene. We find that the dielectric constant in ultra-thin phosphorene is thickness dependent and it can be further tuned by applying an out of plane electric field. The decreasing dielectric constant with reducing number of layers of phosphorene, is a direct consequence of the lower permittivity of the surface layers and the in- creasing surface to volume ratio. We also show that the slab polarizability depends linearly on the number of layers, implying a nearly constant polarizability per phosphorus atom. Our calculation of the thickness and electric field dependent dielectric properties will be useful for designing and interpreting transport experiments in gated phosphorene devices, wherever electrostatic effects such as capacitance, charge screening etc. are important.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2015

Dark Matter Production Mechanisms with a Non-Thermal Cosmological History - A Classification

We perform a comprehensive study of models of dark matter (DM) in a Universe with a non-thermal cosmological history, i.e with a phase of pressure-less matter domination before the onset of big-bang nucleosynethesis (BBN). Such cosmological histories are generically predicted by UV completions that contain gravitationally coupled scalar fields (moduli). We classify the different production mechanisms for DM in this framework, generalizing previous works by considering a wide range of DM masses/couplings and allowing for DM to be in equilibrium with a "dark" sector. We identify four distinct parametric regimes for the production of relic DM, and derive accurate semi-analytic approximations for the DM relic abundance. Our results are particularly relevant for supersymmetric theories, in which the standard non-thermally produced DM candidates are disfavored by indirect detection constraints. We also comment on experimental signals in this framework, focusing on novel effects involving the power spectrum of DM density perturbations. In particular, we identify a class of models where the spectrum of DM density perturbations is sensitive to the pressure-less matter dominated era before BBN, giving rise to interesting astrophysical signatures to be looked for in the future. A worthwhile future direction would be to study well-motivated theoretical models within this framework and carry out detailed studies of the pattern of expected experimental signals.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2014

R-Parity Conservation from a Top Down Perspective

Motivated by results from the LHC and dark matter searches, we study the possibility of phenomenologically viable R-parity violation in $SU(5)$ GUT models from a top-down point of view. We show that in contrast to the more model dependent bounds on the proton lifetime, the limits on neutrino masses provide a robust, stringent and complementary constraint on all $SU(5)$ GUT-based R-parity violating models. Focusing on well-motivated string/$M$ theory GUT frameworks with mechanisms for doublet-triplet splitting and a solution to the $μ/Bμ$ problems, we show that imposing the neutrino mass bounds implies that R-parity violation is disfavored. The arguments can also be generalized to minimal $SO(10)$ GUTs. An experimental observation of R-parity violation would, therefore, disfavor such classes of top-down GUT models.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2013

The Higgs as a Probe of Supersymmetric Extra Sectors

We present a general method for calculating the leading contributions to h -> gg and h -> gamma gamma in models where the Higgs weakly mixes with a nearly supersymmetric extra sector. Such mixing terms can play an important role in raising the Higgs mass relative to the value expected in the MSSM. Our method applies even when the extra sector is strongly coupled, and moreover does not require a microscopic Lagrangian description. Using constraints from holomorphy we fix the leading parametric form of the contributions to these Higgs processes, including the Higgs mixing angle dependence, up to an overall coefficient. Moreover, when the Higgs is the sole source of mass for a superconformal sector, we show that even this coefficient is often calculable. For appropriate mixing angles, the contribution of the extra states to h -> gg and h -> gamma gamma can vanish. We also discuss how current experimental limits already lead to non-trivial constraints on such models. Finally, we provide examples of extra sectors which satisfy the requirements necessary to use the holomorphic approximation.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

S and T for SCFTs

We develop a general set of methods for computing the oblique electroweak parameters S and T for bottom-up and top-down motivated scenarios in which the Higgs weakly mixes with a superconformal extra sector. In addition to their utility in phenomenological studies, the observables S and T are also of purely theoretical interest as they are defined by correlation functions of broken symmetries. We show that in the limit where the extra sector enjoys an approximate custodial symmetry, the leading contributions to S and T can be recast as calculable data of the theory in the conformal phase. Using this result, we also obtain model-independent bounds on the sign and size of oblique electroweak corrections from unitary superconformal theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

"L=R" - $U(1)_R$ as the Origin of Leptonic 'RPV'

A classification of phenomenologically interesting supersymmetric extensions of the Standard-Model with a $U(1)_R$ symmetry is presented. Some of these are consistent with subsets of leptonic or baryonic "R-parity violating" (RPV) operators, thereby providing a natural motivation for them. We then focus on a particular class of models in which the $U(1)_R$ symmetry coincides with lepton number when restricted to the SM sector. In this case, the extension of lepton number to the superpartners is "non-standard", implying, in particular, the existence of the leptonic RPV operators $LLE^c$ and $LQD^c$, and a vacuum structure where one of the left-handed sneutrinos acquires a significant vacuum-expectation-value, while not being constrained by neutrino mass bounds. The model can be naturally consistent with bounds from electroweak precision measurements and flavor-changing processes. It can also easily accommodate the recently measured Higgs mass due to the existence of a scalar triplet that couples to the Higgs with an order one coupling, with only moderate fine-tuning. The phenomenology is rather rich and distinctive, with features such as heavy-but-natural Dirac gauginos, relaxed bounds on squarks, resonant slepton/sneutrino production, lepto-quark signals, as well as an interesting connection to neutrino physics arising from R-breaking. The broad qualitative features are discussed in this paper, with a more detailed phenomenological study carried out in a companion paper Frugiuele et al. (2012).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

"L=R" -- $U(1)_R$ Lepton Number at the LHC

We perform a detailed study of a variety of LHC signals in supersymmetric models where lepton number is promoted to an (approximate) U(1)_R symmetry. Such a symmetry has interesting implications for naturalness, as well as flavor- and CP-violation, among others. Interestingly, it makes large sneutrino vacuum expectation values phenomenologically viable, so that a slepton doublet can play the role of the down-type Higgs. As a result, (some of) the leptons and neutrinos are incorporated into the chargino and neutralino sectors. This leads to characteristic decay patterns that can be experimentally tested at the LHC. The corresponding collider phenomenology is largely determined by the new approximately conserved quantum number, which is itself closely tied to the presence of "leptonic R-parity violation". We find rather loose bounds on the first and second generation squarks, arising from a combination of suppressed production rates together with relatively small signal efficiencies of the current searches. Naturalness would indicate that such a framework should be discovered in the near future, perhaps through spectacular signals exhibiting the lepto-quark nature of the third generation squarks. The presence of fully visible decays, in addition to decay chains involving large missing energy (in the form of neutrinos) could give handles to access the details of the spectrum of new particles, if excesses over SM background were to be observed. The scale of neutrino masses is intimately tied to the source of U(1)_R breaking, thus opening a window into the R-breaking sector through neutrino physics. Further theoretical aspects of the model have been presented in a recent companion paper.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Mixed Wino-Axion Dark Matter in String/M Theory and the 130 GeV Gamma-line "Signal"

String/M theory compactifications with low energy supersymmetry tend to predict that dark matter has two components: axions and WIMPs \cite{1004.5138,1204.2795}. In accord with this, we show that the tentative 130 GeV gamma-line signal reported in \cite{1204.2797} can be interpreted as arising from the annihilation of 145 GeV mass, Wino-like WIMPs into a Z-boson and a photon. In this context, the signal implies a second component of dark matter which we interpret as being composed of axions - the relative Wino/Axion abundances being approximately equal. Further predictions are implied: signals in both diffuse and monochromatic photons from dwarf spheroidal galaxies; monochromatic photons with energy 145 GeV; for the LHC, the Higgs boson mass has been predicted in this framework \cite{1112.1059}, and the current Higgs limits provide interesting constraints on the mass of the Gluino.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Compactified String Theories -- Generic Predictions for Particle Physics

In recent years it has been realized that in string/$M$ theories compactified to four dimensions which satisfy cosmological constraints, it is possible to make some generic predictions for particle physics and dark matter: a non-thermal cosmological history before primordial nucleosynthesis, a scale of supersymmetry breaking which is "high" as in gravity mediation, scalar superpartners too heavy to be produced at the LHC (although gluino production is expected in many cases), and a significant fraction of dark matter in the form of axions. When the matter and gauge spectrum below the compactification scale is that of the MSSM, a robust prediction of about 125 GeV for the Higgs boson mass, predictions for various aspects of dark matter physics, as well as predictions for future precision measurements, can be made. As a prototypical example, $M$ theory compactified on a manifold of $G_2$ holonomy leads to a good candidate for our "string vacuum", with the TeV scale emerging from the Planck scale, a de Sitter vacuum, robust electroweak symmetry breaking, and solutions of the weak and strong CP problems. In this article we review how these and other results were derived, from the key theoretical ideas to the final phenomenological predictions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2012

Electroweak Symmetry Breaking in the DSSM

We study the theoretical and phenomenological consequences of modifying the Kahler potential of the MSSM two Higgs doublet sector. Such modifications naturally arise when the Higgs sector mixes with a quasi-hidden conformal sector, as in some F-theory GUT models. In the Delta-deformed Supersymmetric Standard Model (DSSM), the Higgs fields are operators with non-trivial scaling dimension 1 < Delta < 2. The Kahler metric is singular at the origin of field space due to the presence of quasi-hidden sector states which get their mass from the Higgs vevs. The presence of these extra states leads to the fact that even as Delta approaches 1, the DSSM does not reduce to the MSSM. In particular, the Higgs can naturally be heavier than the W- and Z-bosons. Perturbative gauge coupling unification, a large top quark Yukawa, and consistency with precision electroweak can all be maintained for Delta close to unity. Moreover, such values of Delta can naturally be obtained in string-motivated constructions. The quasi-hidden sector generically contains states charged under SU(5)_GUT as well as gauge singlets, leading to a rich, albeit model-dependent, collider phenomenology.

hep-ph↗