arXiv subjects

Steven Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to Steven Thomas.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv1995

Conformal Models of Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

Following the previous work of Ferretti and Yang on the role of magnetic fields in the theory of conformal turbulence, we show that non-unitary minimal model solutions to 2-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) obtained by dimensional reduction from 3-dimensions exist under different (and more restrictive) conditions. From a 3-dimensional point of view, these conditions are equivalent to perpendicular flow, in which the magnetic and velocity fields are orthogonal. We also extend the analysis to the finite conductivity case and present some approximate solutions, whose connection to the exact ones of the infinite conductivity case is also discussed.

hep-th↗

arXiv1995

Perturbing Conformal Turbulence

We consider perturbations of the non-unitary minimal model solutions of two-dimensional conformal turbulence proposed by Polyakov. Demanding the absence of non-integrable singularities in the resulting theories leads to constraints on the dimension of the perturbing operator. We give some general solutions of these constraints, illustrating with examples of specific models. We also examine the effect of such perturbations on the Hopf equation and derive the interesting result that the latter is invariant under a certain class of perturbations, to first order in perturbation theory, examples of which are given in specific cases.

hep-th↗

arXiv1994

Large Screening in Two Dimensional Nonabelian Vortex Systems

We study charge screening in a system of two dimensional nonabelian vortices, at finite temperature. Such vortices are generated after an \( SO(3) \) global symmetry group is spontaneously broken to a discrete subgroup \( \IQ_8 \), where the latter is isomorphic to the nonabelian group of quaternions. Poisson-Boltzmann like equations are derived for the various inter-vortex potentials, and the solutions to lowest order in a small fugacity expansion, are shown to behave much like those in abelian or Coulomb charge systems. The consequences for the phase structure of the system are discussed, where the fugacities associated to the thermal production of the various types of nonabelian vortices, are shown to play a key role.

cond-mat↗