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R. M. Cavalcanti

Publications and source records attributed to R. M. Cavalcanti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Radiative Corrections to Casimir Effect in the $λϕ^{4}$ Model

We calculate radiative corrections to the Casimir effect for the massive complex scalar field with the $λϕ^{4}$ self-interaction in $d+1$ dimensions. We consider the field submitted to four types of boundary conditions on two parallel planes, namely: (i) quasi-periodic boundary conditions, which interpolates continuously periodic and anti-periodic ones, (ii) Dirichlet conditions on both planes, (iii) Neumann conditions on both planes and (iv) mixed conditions, that is, Dirichlet on one plane and Neumann on the other one.

hep-th↗

Casimir effect for the scalar field under Robin boundary conditions: A functional integral approach

In this work we show how to define the action of a scalar field in a such a way that Robin boundary condition is implemented dynamically, i.e., as a consequence of the stationary action principle. We discuss the quantization of that system via functional integration. Using this formalism, we derive an expression for the Casimir energy of a massless scalar field under Robin boundary conditions on a pair of parallel plates, characterized by constants $c_1$ and $c_2$. Some special cases are discussed; in particular, we show that for some values of $c_1$ and $c_2$ the Casimir energy as a function of the distance between the plates presents a minimum. We also discuss the renormalization at one-loop order of the two-point Green function in the $λϕ^4$ theory submitted to Robin boundary condition on a plate.

hep-th↗

Casimir force on a piston

We consider a massless scalar field obeying Dirichlet boundary conditions on the walls of a two-dimensional L x b rectangular box, divided by a movable partition (piston) into two compartments of dimensions a x b and (L-a) x b. We compute the Casimir force on the piston in the limit L -> infinity. Regardless of the value of a/b, the piston is attracted to the nearest end of the box. Asymptotic expressions for the Casimir force on the piston are derived for a << b and a >> b.

quant-ph↗

Decay in a uniform field: an exactly solvable model

We investigate the time evolution of the decay (or ionization) probability of a D-dimensional model atom (D=1,2,3) in the presence of a uniform (i.e., static and homogeneous) background field. The model atom consists in a non-relativistic point particle in the presence of a point-like attractive well. It is shown that the model exhibits infinitely many resonances leading to possible deviations from the naive exponential decay law of the non-decay (or survival) probability of the initial atomic quantum state. Almost stable states exist due to the presence of the attractive interaction, no matter how weak it is. Analytic estimates as well as numerical evaluation of the decay rates are explicitly given and discussed.

quant-ph↗

Alternative dimensional reduction via the density matrix: A test

We derive and analyze the perturbation series for the classical effective action in quantum statistical mechanics, treated as a toy model for the dimensionally reduced effective action in quantum field theory at finite temperature. The first few terms of the series are computed for the harmonic oscillator and the quartic potential.

hep-th↗

Radiative corrections to the Casimir effect for the massive scalar field

We compute the first radiative correction to the Casimir energy of a massive scalar field with a quartic self-interaction in the presence of two parallel plates. Three kinds of boundary conditions are considered: Dirichlet-Dirichlet, Neumann-Neumann and Dirichlet-Neumann. We use dimensional and analytical regularizations to obtain our physical results.

hep-th↗

Radiative corrections to the Casimir effect for the massive scalar field

We compute the $O(λ)$ correction to the Casimir energy for the massive $λϕ^4$ model confined between a pair of parallel plates. The calculations are made with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions. The correction is shown to be sensitive to the boundary conditions, except in the zero mass limit, in which case our results agree with those found in the literature.

hep-th↗

Improved semiclassical density matrix: taming caustics

We present a simple method to deal with caustics in the semiclassical approximation to the thermal density matrix of a particle moving on the line. For simplicity, only its diagonal elements are considered. The only ingredient we require is the knowledge of the extrema of the Euclidean action. The procedure makes use of complex trajectories, and is applied to the quartic double-well potential.

quant-ph↗

Bose-Einstein condensation in the presence of a uniform field and a point-like impurity

The behavior of an ideal $D$-dimensional boson gas in the presence of a uniform gravitational field is analyzed. It is explicitly shown that, contrarily to an old standing folklore, the three-dimensional gas does not undergo Bose-Einstein condensation at finite temperature. On the other hand, Bose-Einstein condensation occurs at $T\neq 0$ for $D=1,2,3$ if there is a point-like impurity at the bottom of the vessel containing the gas.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

When the Casimir energy is not a sum of zero-point energies

We compute the leading radiative correction to the Casimir force between two parallel plates in the $λΦ^4$ theory. Dirichlet and periodic boundary conditions are considered. A heuristic approach, in which the Casimir energy is computed as the sum of one-loop corrected zero-point energies, is shown to yield incorrect results, but we show how to amend it. The technique is then used in the case of periodic boundary conditions to construct a perturbative expansion which is free of infrared singularities in the massless limit. In this case we also compute the next-to-leading order radiative correction, which turns out to be proportional to $λ^{3/2}$.

hep-th↗

On the effectiveness of Gamow's method for calculating decay rates

We examine Gamow's method for calculating the decay rate of a wave function initially located within a potential well. Using elementary techniques, we examine a very simple, exactly solvable model, in order to show why it is so reliable for calculating decay rates, in spite of its conceptual problems. We also discuss the regime of validity of the exponential decay law.

quant-ph↗

Comment on ``Quantum mechanics of an electron in a homogeneous magnetic field and a singular magnetic flux tube''

Recently Thienel [Ann. Phys. (N.Y.) 280 (2000), 140; quant-ph/9809047] investigated the Pauli equation for an electron moving in a plane under the influence of a perpendicular magnetic field which is the sum of a uniform field and a singular flux tube. Here we criticise his claim that one cannot properly solve this equation by treating the singular flux tube as the limiting case of a flux tube of finite size.

quant-ph↗

Exact Green's functions for delta-function potentials and renormalization in quantum mechanics

We present a simple recipe to construct the Green's function associated with a Hamiltonian of the form H=H_0+V, where H_0 is a Hamiltonian for which the associated Green's function is known and V is a delta-function potential. We apply this result to the case in which H_0 is the Hamiltonian of a free particle in D dimensions. Field theoretic concepts such as regularization, renormalization, dimensional transmutation and triviality are introduced naturally in order to deal with an infinity which shows up in the formal expression of the Green's function for D>1.

quant-ph↗