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R. Jackiw

Publications and source records attributed to R. Jackiw.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
arXiv2000

Descendants of the Chiral Anomaly

Chern-Simons terms are well-known descendants of chiral anomalies, when the latter are presented as total derivatives. Here I explain that also Chern-Simons terms, when defined on a 3-manifold, may be expressed as total derivatives.

hep-th↗
arXiv2000

Chern-Simons Reduction and non-Abelian Fluid Mechanics

We propose a non-Abelian generalization of the Clebsch parameterization for a vector in three dimensions. The construction is based on a group-theoretical reduction of the Chern-Simons form on a symmetric space. The formalism is then used to give a canonical (symplectic) discussion of non-Abelian fluid mechanics, analogous to the way the Abelian Clebsch parameterization allows a canonical description of conventional fluid mechanics.

hep-th↗
arXiv2000

Supersymmetric Fluid Mechanics

When anticommuting Grassmann variables are introduced into a fluid dynamical model with irrotational velocity and no vorticity, the velocity acquires a nonvanishing curl and the resultant vorticity is described by Gaussian potentials formed from the Grassmann variables. Upon adding a further specific interaction with the Grassmann degrees of freedom, the model becomes supersymmetric.

hep-th↗
arXiv2000

Clebsch (String) Parameterization of 3-Vectors and Their Actions

We discuss some properties of the intrinsically nonlinear Clebsch decomposition of a vector field into three scalars in d=3. In particular, we note and account for the incompleteness of this parameterization when attempting to use it in variational principles involving Maxwell and Chern-Simons actions. Similarities with string decomposition of metrics and their actions are also pointed out.

physics.flu-dyn↗
arXiv1999

Creation and evolution of magnetic helicity

Projecting a non-Abelian SU(2) vacuum gauge field - a pure gauge constructed from the group element U - onto a fixed (electromagnetic) direction in isospace gives rise to a nontrivial magnetic field, with nonvanishing magnetic helicity, which coincides with the winding number of U. Although the helicity is not conserved under Maxwell (vacuum) evolution, it retains one-half its initial value at infinite time.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

Fluid Dynamical Profiles and Constants of Motion from D-Branes

Various fluid mechanical systems, governed by nonlinear differential equations, enjoy a hidden, higher-dimensional dynamical Poincaré symmetry, which arises owing to their descent from a Nambu-Goto action. Also, for the same reason, there are equivalence transformations between different models. These interconnections are discussed in this lecture, and are summarized in Fig. 3.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

What good are quantum field theory infinities?

A lesson for the new millennium from quantum field theory: Not all field-theoretic infinities are bad. Some give rise to finite, symmetry-breaking effects, whose consequences are observed in Nature.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

Effects of Dirac's Negative Energy Sea on Quantum Numbers

One route towards understanding both fractional charges and chiral anomalies delves into Dirac's negative energy sea. Usually we think of Dirac's negative energy sea as an unphysical construct, invented to render quantum field theory physically acceptable by hiding the negative energy solutions. I suggest that in fact physical consequences can be drawn from Dirac's construction.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

Fluid Dynamical Profiles and Constants of Motion from d-Branes

Various fluid mechanical systems enjoy a hidden, higher-dimensional dynamical Poincare symmetry, which arises owing to their descent from a Nambu-Goto action. Also, for the same reason, there are equivalence transformations between different models. These interconnections are discussed in our paper.

hep-th↗
arXiv1999

Higher Derivative Chern--Simons Extensions

We study the higher-derivative extensions of the D=3 Abelian Chern--Simons topological invariant that would appear in a perturbative effective action's momentum expansion. The leading, third-derivative, extension I_ECS turns out to be unique. It remains parity-odd but depends only on the field strength, hence no longer carries large gauge information, nor is it topological because metric dependence accompanies the additional covariant derivatives, whose positions are seen to be fixed by gauge invariance. Viewed as an independent action, I_ECS requires the field strength to obey the wave equation. The more interesting model, adjoining I_ECS to the Maxwell action, describes a pair of excitations. One is massless, the other a massive ghost, as we exhibit both via the propagator and by performing the Hamiltonian decomposition. We also present this model's total stress tensor and energy. Other actions involving I_ECS are also noted.

hep-th↗